Old Forge Reservoir Dam dam
Old Forge Reservoir Dam
Old Forge Reservoir Dam, located in Old Forge, New York, is a concrete structure completed in 1905 to primarily reduce flood risks in the area. Managed by the state agency NYS DEC, this dam spans 129 feet in length and stands at a height of 18 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 22,610 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 9,002 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 736 acres, serving as a crucial asset for flood control and recreation purposes.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 36 feet, is controlled to manage maximum discharge of up to 980 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety of downstream areas. However, with a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment in 2017, the dam's risk level is categorized as "Very High (1)", necessitating regular inspections and maintenance. Although the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are unclear, its strategic location on the Middle Branch Moose River underscores its importance in safeguarding the surrounding Herkimer County and New York communities from potential flooding events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and functional aspects of Old Forge Reservoir Dam, recognizing its vital role in flood risk reduction and recreational activities. As one of the key infrastructure elements in the region, this concrete dam continues to be monitored and inspected regularly to ensure public safety and environmental resilience against the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
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 Old Forge Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buck Creek Near Inlet Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek | 1 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 706 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Boonville Ny | 2,090 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 2,850 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 965 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Old Forge Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Twichell Lake
- Seventh Lake
- Stillwater Reservoir
- Soft Maple Reservoir
- State Highway 28 Town Of Arietta
- Forked Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Nicks Lake - Dec
- Limekiln Lake - Dec
- Nys Designated Tent Site
- Eighth Lake - Dec
- South Lake Campsite
- Golden Beach - Dec
Track Old Forge Reservoir 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 Old Forge Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Old Forge Reservoir 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 Old Forge Reservoir Dam.