Mill Pond Dam dam
Mill Pond Dam
Mill Pond Dam, located in Oyster Bay, New York, is a local government-owned structure that serves multiple purposes, with a primary focus on water resource management. Built in 1983, this earth dam stands at 18 feet tall and stretches 250 feet in length, providing storage for up to 60 acre-feet of water. With a normal storage capacity of 42 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.84 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the TR-LONG ISLAND SOUND river or stream.
Despite its low hazard potential, Mill Pond Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement by the NYS DEC. While the condition of the dam is currently unrated, it has a moderate risk assessment score of 3. The spillway, with a width of 32 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 688 cubic feet per second. Although last inspected in 1983, the dam's emergency action plan status, inundation maps, and risk management measures are not documented, highlighting potential areas for improvement in the future.
Overall, Mill Pond Dam stands as a vital infrastructure component in the water resource management system of Nassau County, New York. Its strategic location and design contribute to flood control, water storage, and environmental preservation efforts in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, a closer examination of this dam can provide valuable insights into the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and risk management in safeguarding our natural resources.
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 Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Spring Brook At Cold Spring Harbor Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| Rippowam River At Stamford | 11 cfs | → |
| Massapequa Creek At Massapequa Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| East Meadow Brook At Freeport Ny | 3 cfs | → |
| Carlls River At Babylon Ny | 15 cfs | → |
| Nissequogue River Near Smithtown Ny | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Pond Dam.
Track Mill 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 Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mill 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 Low 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 Mill Pond Dam.