Galway Lake Dam dam
Galway Lake Dam
Galway Lake Dam, located in West Galway, Saratoga County, New York, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Completed in 1982, this earth dam stands at 30 feet high and spans 458 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 9605 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the picturesque North Chuctanunda Creek and covers a surface area of 564 acres, providing a serene setting for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of January 2020, Galway Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 50 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 2340 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure during periods of high water flow. Despite its moderate risk assessment level, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plans are essential components for ensuring the safety of the surrounding community in the event of a dam failure.
Overall, Galway Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational resource in the region, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities. Its presence along the North Chuctanunda Creek not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. As enthusiasts continue to explore and appreciate this captivating site, it remains crucial to uphold strict regulatory standards and proactive risk management practices to safeguard both the dam and the environment it serves.
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 Galway Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Glowegee Creek At West Milton Ny | 20 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Burtonsville Ny | 327 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River At Stewarts Bridge Nr Hadley Ny | 428 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Hadley Ny | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River Near Hope Ny | 846 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 4,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Galway Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Broadalbin Public Boat Launch
- Mohawk River
- Houseman Street Town Of Northampton
- Dufel Road Town Of Glen
- Ralph Street Ballston Spa
Campgrounds
- Northampton Beach - Dec
- Rustic Barn Campground
- Woods Lake Campsite #3
- Woods Lake Campsie #4
- Caroga Lake - Dec
- Corinth
Track Galway Lake 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 Galway Lake Dam
Where does the data for Galway Lake 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 Galway Lake Dam.