Sphagnum Pond Dam Dam
Sphagnum Pond Dam
Sphagnum Pond Dam, located in Cornwall, New York, is a masonry dam completed in 1930 for the primary purpose of water supply. With a height of 15 feet and a length of 580 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 102 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 95 acre-feet and a surface area of 20 acres. The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment in 2017 revealing a poor condition and significant hazard potential.
Despite its age, Sphagnum Pond Dam continues to serve as a critical water resource for the local community. However, its poor condition and the moderate risk assessment highlight the need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. With an uncontrolled spillway and a significant hazard potential, there is a pressing need for maintenance and potentially upgrades to enhance the dam's resilience to climate change impacts and ensure its continued functionality as a key water supply infrastructure in the region.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sphagnum Pond Dam presents a unique case study in the intersection of infrastructure management, environmental regulation, and climate resilience. The dam's location along the TR-Hudson River, its significant hazard potential, and poor condition assessment underscore the importance of proactive risk management and investment in sustainable water infrastructure to mitigate the potential impacts of extreme weather events and changing hydrological patterns in the future.
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 Sphagnum Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muscoot River At Baldwin Place Ny | 11 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River At Richardsville Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 202 cfs | → |
| W Br Croton River Below Dam Near Kent Cliffs Ny | 9 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River Below Dam At Amawalk Ny | 20 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Carmel Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sphagnum Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Sphagnum Pond Dam
Where does the data for Sphagnum Pond 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.