Sturgeon Pool Dam dam
Sturgeon Pool Dam
Sturgeon Pool Dam, located in Rosendale, New York, is a concrete structure completed in 1922 with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Standing at a height of 109 feet and spanning 670 feet in length, this dam boasts a storage capacity of 10,894 acre-feet and serves as a vital component in the Wallkill River watershed. With a maximum discharge capacity of 90,720 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Managed by a Public Utility owner type and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), Sturgeon Pool Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, but its condition assessment as of 2013 was deemed satisfactory. Despite moderate risk levels, the dam has not been modified in recent years and continues to function effectively, contributing to the local water resource management efforts and providing a reliable source of renewable energy through hydroelectric power generation.
With its uncontrolled spillway type and a spillway width of 490 feet, Sturgeon Pool Dam remains a key feature in the Ulster County landscape. The dam's proximity to the Wallkill River, combined with its significant storage capacity and hydraulic capabilities, underscores its importance in both water resource management and climate resilience initiatives. As climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for sustainable water infrastructure, Sturgeon Pool Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Sturgeon Pool Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rondout Creek At Rosendale Ny | 191 cfs | → |
| Wallkill River At Gardiner Ny | 286 cfs | → |
| Esopus Creek At Mount Marion Ny | 140 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill Blw Maltby Hollow Bk At West Shokan Ny | 23 cfs | → |
| Wappinger Creek Near Wappingers Falls Ny | 120 cfs | → |
| Esopus Creek At Coldbrook Ny | 736 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sturgeon Pool Dam.
Boat launches
- Creek Locks Road 1294, Rosendale
- Brookside Drive Town Of Esopus
- Delaware Avenue Kingston
- River Road 190, Hyde Park
- Libertyville Road Town Of New Paltz
- Clearwater Drive Town Of Poughkeepsie
Campgrounds
- Margaret Norrie State Park
- Samuel F. Pryor Iii Shawangunk Gateway Campground
- Kenneth L. Wilson - Dec
- Koa Camping
- Rip Van Winkle Camping
- Wilcox Memorial Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- 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 Sturgeon Pool 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 Sturgeon Pool Dam
Where does the data for Sturgeon Pool 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 Sturgeon Pool Dam.