Foster Lake Dam & Dike dam
Foster Lake Dam & Dike
Foster Lake Dam & Dike in Scio, Allegany, New York, is a privately owned structure completed in 1967 primarily for recreational purposes. This earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans a length of 445 feet, providing a storage capacity of 173 acre-feet. Situated on TR-Vandermark Creek, it serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and water recreation in the area.
Although classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is deemed moderate. The spillway, with a width of 60 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 148 cubic feet per second. While the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the last inspection took place in May 2009. The state regulatory agency, the NYS DEC, oversees the permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes for this dam, ensuring its compliance with safety standards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts would be interested in the ecological impact of Foster Lake Dam & Dike on the surrounding area, given its location within a drainage area of 0.11 square miles. The dam's storage capacity, surface area of 25 acres, and proximity to Vandermark Creek contribute to its significance in managing water resources and supporting local biodiversity. As a privately owned structure with state regulation, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to sustain its recreational value and environmental integrity for future generations.
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 Foster Lake Dam & Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Genesee River At Wellsville Ny | 547 cfs | → |
| Canacadea Creek Near Hornell Ny | 175 cfs | → |
| Canisteo R Below Canacadea Cr @ Hornell Ny | 379 cfs | → |
| Canisteo River At Arkport Ny | 43 cfs | → |
| Canisteo River At West Cameron Ny | 910 cfs | → |
| Canaseraga Creek Above Dansville Ny | 83 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Foster Lake Dam & Dike.
Boat launches
- Finger Lakes / North Country Trail Steuben County
- County Road 16 Allegany County
- Allen Lake
- Four Mile Road Alma
- Harwood Lake
Track Foster Lake Dam & Dike 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 Foster Lake Dam & Dike
Where does the data for Foster Lake Dam & Dike 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 Foster Lake Dam & Dike.