Henderson Lake Dam dam
Henderson Lake Dam
Henderson Lake Dam, located in Tahawus, New York, is a privately-owned earth dam completed in 1900 for recreational purposes. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 283 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 3,468 acre-feet and serves as a key feature for water-based activities in the area. The dam is situated on Indian Brook and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), ensuring that it meets stringent permitting, inspection, and enforcement standards.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The spillway of the dam is uncontrolled with a width of 30 feet, allowing for excess water to flow out safely. The surrounding area has a surface area of 306 acres and a drainage area of 17 square miles, further highlighting the importance of the dam in managing water resources and maintaining recreational opportunities for the local community.
With its picturesque location in Essex County, New York, Henderson Lake Dam stands as a vital structure for both water resource management and recreational enjoyment. As a focal point for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking, the dam plays a crucial role in providing a safe and sustainable environment for visitors to appreciate the beauty of nature while ensuring the protection of downstream areas from potential flooding risks.
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 Henderson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny | 360 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Indian Lake Ny | 433 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Piercefield Ny | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At North Creek Ny | 2,000 cfs | → |
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 403 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Henderson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Saranac Lake (Middle)
- Saranac Lake (Lower)
- Raquette River
- Dock Road 88, Town Of Long Lake
- Moose Pond
- Follensby Clear Pond
Campgrounds
- Wanika Falls Campsite
- Wilderness Campground At Heart Lake
- Sno-Bird
- Lake Harris - Dec
- Cold River Campsite
- Meadowbrook - Dec
Track Henderson 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 Henderson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Henderson 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 Henderson Lake Dam.