Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal dam
Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal
Lock 32 Dam on the Erie Canal in Pittsford, New York, is a significant structure that plays a crucial role in navigation along the New York State Barge Canal. Built in 1908, this concrete dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 488 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 1510 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 42 feet, the dam serves as a key component of the canal's infrastructure.
Despite its age, Lock 32 Dam is still actively regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. However, recent assessments have classified its condition as poor, with a high hazard potential. The dam's emergency action plan is in need of revision, and risk assessments indicate a moderate level of risk associated with the structure. With its historical significance and importance for water resource management in the region, efforts to improve the dam's condition and safety measures are essential to ensure the continued function of the Erie Canal system.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the state of Lock 32 Dam, collaboration between state agencies, local authorities, and stakeholders will be crucial in implementing effective risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols. By addressing the structural deficiencies and potential hazards associated with the dam, while also preserving its historical and navigational significance, the Erie Canal system can continue to serve as a vital link for transportation and water management in the region for generations to come.
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 Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Creek Near Rochester Ny | 53 cfs | → |
| Irondequoit Cr Abv Blossom Rd Nr Rochester Ny | 298 cfs | → |
| Irondequoit Cr At Railroad Mills | 77 cfs | → |
| Honeoye Creek At Honeoye Falls Ny | 423 cfs | → |
| Erie (Barge) Canal At Lock 30 | 232 cfs | → |
| Oatka Creek At Garbutt Ny | 531 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal.
Track Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal 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 Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal
Where does the data for Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal 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 Lock 32 Dam Erie Canal.