Gifford dam
Gifford
Gifford, Kahabka & Rutenber Dam, located in East Masonville, New York, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1959. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 415 feet, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. It has a storage capacity of 131 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.11 square miles, with a maximum discharge rate of 117 cubic feet per second.
The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, it is classified as having a moderate risk level. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and 50 feet wide, helps manage water flow during peak periods. Although the dam's condition is currently not rated, it is important to note that the last inspection was conducted in 1996.
This dam plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region, serving as a key element in flood control and water supply. With its strategic location on the TR-East Masonville Creek, Gifford, Kahabka & Rutenber Dam underscores the importance of private ownership in maintaining essential infrastructure for the community's safety and well-being.
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 Gifford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Susquehanna River At Unadilla Ny | 826 cfs | → |
| Ouleout Creek At East Sidney Ny | 67 cfs | → |
| Trout Creek Near Trout Creek Ny | 24 cfs | → |
| West Branch Delaware River At Walton Ny | 429 cfs | → |
| Susquehanna River At Bainbridge Ny | 1,430 cfs | → |
| Unadilla River At Rockdale Ny | 414 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gifford.
Boat launches
- Susquehanna River
- Old State Highway 7 108, Bainbridge
- West Branch Delaware River
- County Highway 32b Town Of Norwich
Track Gifford 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 Gifford
Where does the data for Gifford 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 Gifford.