Harold Toppel Dam dam
Harold Toppel Dam
Harold Toppel Dam, located in Hillsdale, New York, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1973, the earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and stretches 800 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 219 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Roeliff Jansen Kill river and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Despite its recreational benefits, Harold Toppel Dam poses a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. The dam has a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 268 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 1.09 square miles, the dam's surface area covers 18 acres. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality.
Given its current condition and risk level, stakeholders and local authorities must prioritize regular inspections and risk management measures for Harold Toppel Dam. With its location in Columbia County, New York, and its proximity to the Roeliff Jansen Kill river, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. It is essential to address the identified deficiencies and implement necessary improvements to enhance the dam's safety and effectiveness for both recreational and environmental purposes.
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 Harold Toppel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 14 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 170 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 239 cfs | → |
| Kinderhook Creek At Rossman Ny | 109 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Falls Village | 305 cfs | → |
| Salmon Creek At Lime Rock | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harold Toppel Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Harold Toppel Dam
Where does the data for Harold Toppel 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.