Gouverneur dam
Gouverneur
Gouverneur, a hydroelectric dam located in St. Lawrence, New York, along the Oswegatchie River, stands as a testament to innovative water resource management. Completed in 1925, this concrete gravity dam boasts a height of 7 feet and a length of 250 feet, with a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 12,400 cubic feet per second. Operated under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Gouverneur serves as a key player in ensuring sustainable water usage and climate resilience in the region.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Gouverneur is well-equipped to handle emergency situations and potential risks. While specific condition assessment data is not currently available, the dam undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Managed by the local government and with oversight from federal and state regulatory agencies, Gouverneur exemplifies a collaborative approach to water resource management, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
As a primary source of hydroelectric power in the region, Gouverneur plays a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of the community while minimizing its environmental impact. With its uncontrolled spillway, the dam is designed to efficiently manage water flow and prevent potential flooding. Overall, Gouverneur stands as a model of responsible water resource management, combining historical significance with modern technology to address the challenges of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
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 Gouverneur -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 776 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Heuvelton Ny | 2,470 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 947 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 684 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 961 cfs | → |
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 4,710 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gouverneur.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Jacques Cartier State Park
- Kring Point State Park
- Eel Weir State Park
- Keewaydin State Park
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Ivy Lea Campsite - St. Lawrence
Track Gouverneur 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 Gouverneur
Where does the data for Gouverneur 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 Gouverneur.