Blenheim - Gilboa Upper dam
Blenheim - Gilboa Upper
Located in North Blenheim, New York, the Blenheim-Gilboa Upper dam is a state-owned structure designed by Chas. T. Main for hydroelectric purposes on the Schoharie Creek. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 110 feet and has a structural height of 170 feet, with a length of 11,900 feet. With a storage capacity of 18,500 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 355 acres and has a maximum discharge of 10,200 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Blenheim-Gilboa Upper dam serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power and recreation in the area. The dam has a spillway width of 700 feet and a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of 1 year, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. Emergency action plans have been prepared and updated, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities in case of any unforeseen events.
Overall, the Blenheim-Gilboa Upper dam is a significant infrastructure contributing to water resource management and climate resilience in Schoharie, New York. Its strategic location and design make it a key player in providing renewable energy and recreational opportunities, while also prioritizing safety and risk management through regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures. As a state-regulated structure, the dam continues to play a crucial role in the sustainable development of the region's water resources and environmental sustainability efforts.
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 Blenheim - Gilboa Upper -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schoharie Creek At North Blenheim Ny | 28 cfs | → |
| Mine Kill Near North Blenheim Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Platter Kill At Gilboa Ny | 7 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Gilboa Ny | 11 cfs | → |
| Manor Kill At West Conesville Near Gilboa Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Breakabeen Ny | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blenheim - Gilboa Upper .
Boat launches
- Mine Kill State Park Road Town Of Blenheim
- Schoharie Creek Parking Fishing Access
- Susquehanna River
- Bureau Of Water Supply Road 3 Town Of Andes
- Green Lake
Track Blenheim - Gilboa Upper 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 Blenheim - Gilboa Upper
Where does the data for Blenheim - Gilboa Upper 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 Blenheim - Gilboa Upper .