Rockville Lake Dam dam
Rockville Lake Dam
Rockville Lake Dam, located in Belfast, New York, is a vital water resource that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1977, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 1000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 219 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the picturesque Black Creek, offering a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Despite its low hazard potential, Rockville Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the NYS DEC. The dam's spillway, with a width of 40 feet, is uncontrolled and capable of handling a maximum discharge of 200 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 27 acres and a drainage area of 24.3 square miles, making it a significant water management system in Allegany County.
With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Rockville Lake Dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. While the dam's condition remains unrated, its role in providing recreational opportunities and managing water flow in the region underscores its importance in the local ecosystem. As a key feature of the Buffalo District and a symbol of responsible water management, Rockville Lake Dam stands as a testament to the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship.
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 Rockville Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Genesee River At Wellsville Ny | 547 cfs | → |
| Genesee River At Portageville Ny | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Canisteo River At Arkport Ny | 43 cfs | → |
| Oswayo Creek At Shinglehouse | 145 cfs | → |
| Canacadea Creek Near Hornell Ny | 175 cfs | → |
| Canisteo R Below Canacadea Cr @ Hornell Ny | 379 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rockville Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 16 Allegany County
- Allen Lake
- Harwood Lake
- Four Mile Road Alma
- Finger Lakes / North Country Trail Steuben County
Campgrounds
- Sixtown Campsite
- Belle Hollow (Private)
- Arrowhead Camping
- Camp Ti-Wa-Ya-He (Historical)
- Ccc Camp Seneca
- Highbanks Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Rockville Lake 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 Rockville Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rockville Lake 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 Low 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 Rockville Lake Dam.