Spruce Lake Dam dam
Spruce Lake Dam
Spruce Lake Dam, located in Paper Mill Corners, New York, is a masonry dam completed in 1897 for the primary purpose of water supply. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 120 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 460 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 1060 acre-feet, serving the local community's water needs. The dam is situated on Spruce Creek and is under the regulatory authority of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Despite its historical significance and vital role in water supply, Spruce Lake Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in November 2019 indicated the need for improvements to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, highlighting the importance of implementing risk management measures to address any potential vulnerabilities and safeguard the surrounding area from potential hazards. As a key water resource infrastructure in Herkimer County, Spruce Lake Dam requires ongoing attention and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure continued reliable water supply for the community.
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 Spruce Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Canada Creek At Kast Bridge Ny | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Near Little Falls Ny | 2,010 cfs | → |
| East Canada Creek At East Creek Ny | 29 cfs | → |
| Steele Cr At Ilion Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 332 cfs | → |
| Otsquago Creek At Fort Plain Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spruce Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Washington Street Herkimer
- Public Boat Launch
- Mohawk River
- Chittning Pond
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
Campgrounds
- St. Johnsville Campsite And Marina
- Caroga Lake - Dec
- Point Comfort - Dec
- Canary Pond Tentsite
- Rock Lake Tentsite
- Silver Lake Tentsite
Track Spruce 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 Spruce Lake Dam
Where does the data for Spruce 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 Significant 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 Spruce Lake Dam.