Norfolk Dam dam
Norfolk Dam
Norfolk Dam, located in Norfolk, New York, is a privately owned concrete structure built in 1965 on the Raquette River for hydroelectric purposes. Standing at 29 feet tall and stretching 500 feet in length, the dam provides a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 80 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 1,066 square miles, the dam has a maximum discharge rate of 22,030 cubic feet per second.
Although last inspected in 1997, Norfolk Dam holds a high hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. The dam's spillway, measuring 346 feet in width, is uncontrolled. Despite not being state regulated, the dam is subject to state jurisdiction and inspection. The emergency action plan (EAP) for Norfolk Dam was last revised in December 2020, with the overall condition of the dam marked as "Not Rated." For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Norfolk Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, hydroelectricity, and environmental risk management in a picturesque corner of New York state.
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 Norfolk Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raquette River At Raymondville Ny | 2,090 cfs | → |
| Grass River At Chase Mills Ny | 1,490 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River At Brasher Center Ny | 1,630 cfs | → |
| W Br St. Regis R Nr Parishville Ny | 449 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 954 cfs | → |
| Little Salmon River At Bombay Ny | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norfolk Dam.
Boat launches
- Wilson Hill Causeway Saint Lawrence County
- Mcginnis Road 398, Saint Lawrence County
- St Regis River
- Park Lane Waddington
- Ny 131 Saint Lawrence County
- Lakeshore Drive Morrisburg
Campgrounds
- Coles Creek State Park
- Upper Canada Sanctuary - St. Lawrence
- Riverside/Cedar - St. Lawrence
- Farran Park - St. Lawrence
- Mclaren Campsite - St. Lawrence
- Woodlands Campsite - St. Lawrence
More reservoirs
Track Norfolk 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 Norfolk Dam
Where does the data for Norfolk 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 High 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 Norfolk Dam.