Black River Pond Dam dam
Black River Pond Dam
Black River Pond Dam, located in Stephentown Center, New York, is a state-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Completed in 1935, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and spans a length of 560 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 1710 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Black River, within the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies.
Despite its fair condition assessment in 2017, Black River Pond Dam poses a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The spillway, with a width of 105 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 5550 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area covers 100 acres, draining an 8-square-mile watershed. The dam is subject to regular inspections, with the most recent one conducted in March 2021, to ensure its safety and integrity for both recreational users and downstream communities.
In the care of the state of New York, Black River Pond Dam remains a critical infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in Rensselaer County. With ongoing monitoring and risk management measures in place, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential hazards and ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment and communities.
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 Black River Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 6 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 69 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 172 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 65 cfs | → |
| East Branch Housatonic River At Coltsville | 52 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 9,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black River Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Hancock Road 48-94, Pittsfield
- Lakeway Drive 309-399, Pittsfield
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Beech Road, Richmond
- Forbes Road Rensselaer
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Birch Group Site
Track Black River Pond 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 Black River Pond Dam
Where does the data for Black River Pond 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 Black River Pond Dam.