Herrings dam
Herrings
Herrings is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located in Jefferson, New York, along the Black River. Built in 1924, this concrete dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 650 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 669.4 acre-feet and a surface area of 140 acres. Operated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Herrings serves as a vital source of renewable energy in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 46,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite its low hazard potential, Herrings is subject to regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation. The dam's risk assessment stands at a moderate level, with a condition assessment currently unavailable. While the dam's Emergency Action Plan was last revised in 2013, it meets regulatory guidelines, although specific emergency contacts and inundation maps are not readily available.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Herrings presents a fascinating case study of a historic hydroelectric structure that continues to play a crucial role in sustainable energy production. Its location in the scenic landscape of Jefferson County, New York, highlights the intersection of engineering innovation, environmental stewardship, and regulatory oversight in the preservation of our water resources and the mitigation of climate-related risks.
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 Herrings -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 4,300 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 893 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 Herrings .
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 Herrings 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 Herrings
Where does the data for Herrings 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 Herrings .