West End Dam dam
West End Dam
West End Dam in Herrings, New York, is a privately owned concrete gravity dam completed in 1905 for hydroelectric purposes on the Black River. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 1390 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 1807 square miles. The dam has a low hazard potential and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with inspections conducted periodically to ensure its safety and functionality.
Located in Jefferson County, West End Dam is a key structure in the region's water resource management, providing essential hydroelectric power while also serving as a flood control measure. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 1300 feet, helps regulate water flow during high discharge periods, mitigating flood risks downstream. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term resilience against climate-related challenges.
West End Dam stands as a historic landmark in the area, contributing to the local economy and environment through its hydroelectric operations. With its strategic location and design features, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure asset for the community, reflecting a balance between water resource utilization and conservation efforts. As climate change impacts continue to pose challenges to water management systems, West End Dam's role in sustainable energy production and water supply regulation underscores the importance of proactive adaptation measures to safeguard against future uncertainties.
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 West End Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 893 cfs | → |
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 4,300 cfs | → |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 633 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 219 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 655 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 832 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West End Dam .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Whetstone Gulf State Park
- Westcott Beach State Park
- Grass Point State Park
- Keewaydin State Park
- Kring Point State Park
Track West End 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 West End Dam
Where does the data for West End 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 West End Dam .