Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam dam
Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam
The Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam, also known as the Barge Canal, is a state-owned structure located in Albion, New York. Built in 1911, this concrete dam stands at a height of 26 feet and stretches 115 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for navigation on the WEST BRANCH SANDY CREEK, and it holds a storage capacity of 107 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 100 acre-feet.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), the Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam is a regulated and inspected structure with a significant hazard potential. Its spillway type is controlled, with a width of 60 feet, and it is under the jurisdiction of the Buffalo District. Despite being deemed in a "Very High (1)" risk category, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, indicating a need for further evaluation and potential risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic dam with important navigation functions in New York State. Its age, design, and risk assessment highlight the complexities of managing water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions and safety considerations. With its location in the picturesque town of Albion and its role in regulating water levels on the WEST BRANCH SANDY CREEK, this dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of engineering, conservation, and public safety in the context of water resource management.
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 Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Creek At Batavia Ny | 535 cfs | → |
| Black Creek At Churchville Ny | 445 cfs | → |
| Northrup Creek At North Greece Ny | 21 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Oatka Creek At Garbutt Ny | 531 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 140 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam.
Track Albion Waste Gate & Weir 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 Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam
Where does the data for Albion Waste Gate & Weir 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 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 Albion Waste Gate & Weir Dam.