Vly Creek Reservoir Dike dam
Vly Creek Reservoir Dike
The Vly Creek Reservoir Dike, also known as Vly Reservoir, is a key water supply structure located in Albany, New York. Completed in 1957, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 5,227 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of water supply for the region. The reservoir covers a surface area of 240.5 acres and has a drainage area of 2.67 square miles, making it a vital resource for the local community.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Vly Creek Reservoir Dike has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition. However, due to its high hazard potential and risk assessment rating, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and stability. In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place, although its last revision date was in December 2017.
With a notable location along the Vly Creek and under the jurisdiction of the New York District, the Vly Creek Reservoir Dike plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. Its presence not only supports the water supply needs of the community but also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness for critical infrastructure like dams.
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 Vly Creek Reservoir Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 50 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 11,500 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 3,010 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Burtonsville Ny | 242 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vly Creek Reservoir Dike.
Boat launches
- Lyons Road 171, Town Of Bethlehem
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Albany
- Forbes Road Rensselaer
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Niskayuna
- Erie Canal Towpath Town Of Clifton Park
- Lock 7 Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Max V Shaul State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- North/South Lake - Dec
Track Vly Creek Reservoir Dike 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 Vly Creek Reservoir Dike
Where does the data for Vly Creek Reservoir Dike 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 Vly Creek Reservoir Dike.