Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam dam
Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam
Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam, also known as Dunham Reservoir, is a state-owned structure located in Rensselaer, New York, specifically in the city of Quackenkill. Built in 1913, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 59 feet and spans 660 feet in length. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 4,500 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 4,084 acre-feet and a surface area of 91 acres. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding area.
Despite its recreational significance, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential. While it is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is unclear. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam poses a potential risk that may need to be addressed through enhanced risk management measures. Overall, Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam serves as a vital water resource in the region, but its maintenance and safety should be closely monitored to ensure the protection of both the environment and nearby communities.
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 Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 12,800 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 5,180 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Eagle Bridge Ny | 742 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Lock One Road Town Of Halfmoon
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
- Hudson River Road 951, City Of Mechanicville
- North Schermerhorn Road 22, City Of Cohoes
Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Sherman Brook Campsite
- Birch Group Site
- Ash Group Site
Track Martin Dunham 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 Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Martin Dunham 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 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 Martin Dunham Reservoir Dam.