Lows Lake Dam dam
Lows Lake Dam
Lows Lake Dam, also known as Hitchins Pond, is a concrete structure located in Mountain Camp, New York. Built in 1903, this dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, with an impressive storage capacity of 21,500 acre-feet. Situated on the Bog River, this dam boasts a controlled spillway type with a width of 12 feet, ensuring efficient water management during high flow events.
Despite its age, Lows Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for condition assessment as of yet. With a very high risk assessment rating of 1, the dam is closely monitored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. The dam's location in the St. Lawrence County provides a vital recreational resource for water enthusiasts, offering a serene environment for activities like boating, fishing, and wildlife observation.
With its historical significance and importance for water supply and recreation in the area, Lows Lake Dam stands as a testament to early engineering ingenuity. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of structures like Lows Lake Dam will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water management practices for future generations of enthusiasts and environmental stewards.
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 Lows Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raquette River At Piercefield Ny | 2,020 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 852 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near Inlet Ny | 1 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek | 1 cfs | → |
| Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny | 549 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 1,820 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lows Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bog River Flow
- Horseshoe Lake
- Tupper Lake
- Cranberry Lake
- Ranger School Road 68 B, Oswegatchie
- Oswegatchie River
Campgrounds
- Cranberry Lake 21
- Cranberry Lake 20
- Cranberry Lake 22
- Cranberry Lake 19
- Cranberry Lake 23
- Cranberry Lake 24
Paddle runs
Track Lows 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 Lows Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lows 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 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 Lows Lake Dam.