Utica Harbor Dam dam
Utica Harbor Dam
The Utica Harbor Dam, located in Utica, New York, along the Mohawk River, serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure. Constructed in 1912, this concrete dam stands at 24 feet in height and spans a length of 230 feet, providing a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a spillway width of 190 feet to manage excess water flow during high water events.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Utica Harbor Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is rated as not yet assessed for its condition, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a moderate level of risk (3), emphasizing the need for continued risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the historical significance and practical function of the Utica Harbor Dam in mitigating flood risks along the Mohawk River. As a key infrastructure asset in flood management and navigation, the dam's strategic location and design play a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential water-related hazards. With its state-regulated status and moderate risk assessment, the Utica Harbor Dam serves as a testament to proactive management and resilience in safeguarding water resources in the region.
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 Utica Harbor Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Steele Cr At Ilion Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek At Kast Bridge Ny | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Below Delta Dam Near Rome Ny | 226 cfs | → |
| Oneida Creek At Oneida Ny | 33 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 332 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Near Little Falls Ny | 2,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Utica Harbor Dam.
Boat launches
- Mohawk River
- South Washington Street Herkimer
- Chittning Pond
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
- Lake Moraine
- Lebanon Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Delta Lake State Park
- Pixley Falls State Park
- Verona Beach State Park
- Glimmerglass State Park
- St. Johnsville Campsite And Marina
Track Utica Harbor 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 Utica Harbor Dam
Where does the data for Utica Harbor 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 Utica Harbor Dam.