Deferiet dam
Deferiet
Deferiet, located in Jefferson County, New York, is home to a historic hydroelectric dam on the Black River. Built in 1899, this buttress dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans 695 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 405 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 522 feet, is uncontrolled, and the hazard potential is classified as low. Although the condition assessment is not available, the risk assessment is moderate. The last inspection was conducted in August 2019, with an inspection frequency of 3 years. The emergency action plan was last revised in December 2013, and there are no associated structures or locks with the dam.
Despite its age, the Deferiet dam continues to play a crucial role in providing renewable energy and water resource management in the area. With its rich history and ongoing operation, the dam serves as a testament to the enduring impact of hydroelectric infrastructure on local communities and the environment.
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 Deferiet -- 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 | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 655 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 219 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 832 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deferiet .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Westcott Beach State Park
- Grass Point State Park
- Keewaydin State Park
- Whetstone Gulf State Park
- Kring Point State Park
Track Deferiet 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 Deferiet
Where does the data for Deferiet 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 Deferiet .