Lake Cohasset Lower Dam dam
Lake Cohasset Lower Dam
Located in Orange County, New York, the Lake Cohasset Lower Dam stands as a testament to engineering prowess, completed in 1924 to serve as a recreational water resource for the surrounding area. With a concrete structure standing at 21 feet high and 330 feet long, the dam holds a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet, providing essential water for the 12-acre surface area of Lake Cohasset. This vital infrastructure on Arden Brook is regulated and inspected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the dam.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the Lake Cohasset Lower Dam remains a beloved site for water and climate enthusiasts, offering opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities in the scenic surroundings of Arden, New York. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, 122 feet wide, adds to its allure as a natural marvel, attracting visitors to witness the controlled release of water during times of high discharge. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a history of regular inspections, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of providing a tranquil setting for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of nature.
For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, the Lake Cohasset Lower Dam presents a case study in balancing recreational needs with safety and environmental concerns. As a state-regulated structure with a history dating back nearly a century, the dam symbolizes the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to ensure its longevity and functionality in the face of changing climatic conditions. With a dedicated state agency overseeing its operations, inspections, and enforcement, the Lake Cohasset Lower Dam serves as a model for responsible dam management in the pursuit of sustainable water resource utilization.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Cohasset Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahwah River Near Suffern Ny | 7 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Ramapo Ny | 60 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Suffern Ny | 40 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River Near Mahwah Nj | 67 cfs | → |
| Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Wanaque River At Awosting Nj | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Cohasset Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Battlefield Road Town Of Stony Point
- Laurel Meadow Drive Town Of Warwick
- Broadway Buchanan
- Bear Mountain Bridge Road Cortlandt
- Hudson Avenue Peekskill
- Blue Lake Road Town Of Warwick
Campgrounds
- Beaver Pond Campsite
- Beaver Pond - Harriman State Park
- Round Pond Military
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Croton Point Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
Track Lake Cohasset Lower Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Cohasset Lower Dam
Where does the data for Lake Cohasset Lower Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Cohasset Lower Dam.