Bear Swamp Pond Dam dam
Bear Swamp Pond Dam
Bear Swamp Pond Dam, located in Calcutta, New York, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1920, this earth dam stands at 12 feet tall and spans 400 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 204 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-OAK CREEK and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, Bear Swamp Pond Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet and has not been inspected since April 1998. While the condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," the dam is in compliance with state regulations and permits, including those for inspection and enforcement. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Bear Swamp Pond Dam serves as both a functional water resource structure and a scenic destination in Otsego County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Bear Swamp Pond Dam an intriguing site to explore, with its historical significance dating back a century. While the dam's risk level is moderate, its low hazard potential and compliance with state regulations provide assurance of its safety and stability. As a privately owned structure dedicated to recreation, Bear Swamp Pond Dam offers a unique blend of utility and leisure in the beautiful surroundings of upstate New York.
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 Bear Swamp Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Canajoharie Creek Nr Canajoharie Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Otsquago Creek At Fort Plain Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Breakabeen Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At North Blenheim Ny | 28 cfs | → |
| Mine Kill Near North Blenheim Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| West Branch Delaware River At Hobart Ny | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Swamp Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Susquehanna River
- Mohawk River
- Schoharie Creek Parking Fishing Access
- Mine Kill State Park Road Town Of Blenheim
- Dufel Road Town Of Glen
- South Washington Street Herkimer
Track Bear Swamp Pond 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 Bear Swamp Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bear Swamp 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 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 Bear Swamp Pond Dam.