Dexter North Channel Dam dam
Dexter North Channel Dam
The Dexter North Channel Dam, also known as Dam No. 16, is a private hydroelectric structure located in Dexter, New York along the Black River. Completed in 1925, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 14 feet with a length of 142 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 1900 acres. The dam's purpose is primarily hydroelectric, with a maximum discharge capacity of 50,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Dexter North Channel Dam is state-regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is considered moderate with a rating of 3. Emergency action plans have been prepared, with the last revision in February 2013, to ensure safety measures in case of any unforeseen events. Overall, the Dexter North Channel Dam stands as a vital infrastructure supporting renewable energy production while maintaining environmental and public safety standards in its operation.
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 Dexter North Channel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 4,300 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 655 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 953 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 893 cfs | → |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 633 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 219 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dexter North Channel Dam .
Boat launches
- Conservation Department Road Jefferson County
- Jefferson County
- West Main Street 302, Sackets Harbor
- State Highway 12e 8777, Chaumont
- Lake Ontario
Campgrounds
- Westcott Beach State Park
- Long Point State Park
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Burnham Point State Park
- Cedar Point State Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
Track Dexter North Channel 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 Dexter North Channel Dam
Where does the data for Dexter North Channel 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 Dexter North Channel Dam .