Blenheim - Gilboa Lower dam
Blenheim - Gilboa Lower
Blenheim-Gilboa Lower is a state-owned hydroelectric dam located in North Blenheim, New York, on the Schoharie Creek. Designed by Chas. T. Main and completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at 100 feet tall and has a structural height of 165 feet, with a length of 1810 feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation, with a storage capacity of 16,330 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 179,700 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam poses a high hazard potential and has a very high risk assessment rating. While it is not currently regulated by the state, it undergoes regular inspections by the federal agency to ensure its safety and stability. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 180 feet and three radial Tainter gates for water release. Despite its high risk level, there is no condition assessment available, and the emergency action plan status is unknown.
Overall, Blenheim-Gilboa Lower is a significant water resource structure in New York, playing a vital role in hydroelectric power generation and providing recreational opportunities. With its impressive design and storage capacity, the dam requires diligent monitoring and maintenance to mitigate its high hazard potential and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. The dam's importance in the region's water infrastructure is underscored by its federal oversight and critical role in managing water resources in the Schoharie Creek watershed.
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 Lower -- 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 Lower .
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
Track Blenheim - Gilboa Lower 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 Lower
Where does the data for Blenheim - Gilboa Lower 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 Lower .