Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam dam
Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam
Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam, located in Furnaceville, Otsego County, New York, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1959 primarily for recreation and water supply purposes. With a height of 12 feet and a length of 275 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet and a surface area of 30 acres. The dam controls the flow of TR-Oak Creek and has a maximum discharge of 285 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 10 feet, and it has not been rated for condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in April 1998, and it is currently not equipped with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or inundation maps.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam presents an intriguing opportunity to explore the intersection of recreation and water supply management. Its historical significance, storage capacity, and unique design elements make it a noteworthy structure within the region. With its location in a picturesque setting and its role in controlling the flow of TR-Oak Creek, the dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and a fascinating case study for those interested in water infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Canajoharie Creek Nr Canajoharie Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Breakabeen Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At North Blenheim Ny | 28 cfs | → |
| Otsquago Creek At Fort Plain Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Mine Kill Near North Blenheim Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| West Branch Delaware River At Hobart Ny | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Susquehanna River
- Mohawk River
- Schoharie Creek Parking Fishing Access
- Mine Kill State Park Road Town Of Blenheim
- Dufel Road Town Of Glen
- South Washington Street Herkimer
Track Bear Swamp 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Bear Swamp 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 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 Bear Swamp Reservoir Dam.