Cold Spring Dam (Upper) dam
Cold Spring Dam (Upper)
Located in Putnam County, New York, Cold Spring Dam (Upper) is a stone dam completed in 1934 with a primary purpose of water supply. This dam, situated on Foundry Brook in North Highland, has a height of 23 feet and a length of 270 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 88 acre-feet. Despite its crucial role in water resource management, the dam is currently assessed as having poor condition and high hazard potential.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 177 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 600 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 0.73 square miles, Cold Spring Dam (Upper) serves as a vital structure for regulating the flow of water and ensuring sufficient water supply for the surrounding area. However, the dam's condition assessment and hazard potential highlight the need for regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure continued functionality.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cold Spring Dam (Upper) plays a crucial role in supporting the water needs of the region. With a moderate risk rating and a history dating back to the early 20th century, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management and the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure the reliability of the water supply system.
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 Cold Spring Dam (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Croton River At Richardsville Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| W Br Croton River Below Dam Near Kent Cliffs Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River At Baldwin Place Ny | 17 cfs | → |
| Horse Pound Brook Near Lake Carmel Ny | 1 cfs | → |
| Wappinger Creek Near Wappingers Falls Ny | 41 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Carmel Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cold Spring Dam (Upper).
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Cold Spring Dam (Upper)
Where does the data for Cold Spring Dam (Upper) 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 below 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.
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.