Sewalls South Channel Dam dam
Sewalls South Channel Dam
Located in Watertown, New York, the Sewalls South Channel Dam is a private hydroelectric structure situated on the Black River. Constructed in 1978, this concrete dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 243 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 388 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital component in the region's water resource management and energy production.
Despite being privately owned, the Sewalls South Channel Dam falls under state jurisdiction, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water regulation within the area. While its condition remains unrated, efforts are made to maintain the dam's effectiveness in mitigating potential risks and ensuring its continued functionality for the community.
With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the Sewalls South Channel Dam not only contributes to the local energy supply but also plays a role in water conservation and management. As a key feature in the region's water infrastructure, the dam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between water resources and climate considerations, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in harnessing the power of nature for the benefit of society.
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 Sewalls South Channel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 3,420 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 186 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 559 cfs | → |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 523 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 544 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 134 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sewalls South Channel Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson County
- Conservation Department Road Jefferson County
- West Main Street 302, Sackets Harbor
- Hewitt Drive West Carthage
- Six Town Pond
Campgrounds
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Westcott Beach State Park
- Long Point State Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
- Grass Point State Park
- Cedar Point State Park
Track Sewalls South 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 Sewalls South Channel Dam
Where does the data for Sewalls South 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 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 Sewalls South Channel Dam.