Beaver Flow Dam dam
Beaver Flow Dam
Beaver Flow Dam, located in Newcomb, Essex County, New York, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the NYS DEC. This timber crib dam, standing at a height of 16 feet and spanning 100 feet in length, serves multiple purposes including recreation and water storage. With a normal storage capacity of 368 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 980 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential and moderate risk, Beaver Flow Dam has not been assessed for its condition. The last inspection dates back to 1980, highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 14 feet, adds to its hydraulic capabilities, while its location on Beaver Brook contributes to the overall ecosystem and water flow management in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Beaver Flow Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. Its historical significance and functional importance in the local watershed underscore the need for regular inspections and risk assessments to ensure its continued operation and environmental impact. By understanding the complexities of this structure and its role in the broader water infrastructure, stakeholders can work towards sustainable water resource management practices 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 Beaver Flow 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 | → |
| Hudson River At North Creek Ny | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Piercefield Ny | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaver Flow Dam.
Boat launches
- Dock Road 88, Town Of Long Lake
- Saranac Lake (Middle)
- Saranac Lake (Lower)
- Us 9 Town Of Chester
- Schroon Lake
- Raquette River
Campgrounds
- Lake Harris - Dec
- Camps Baco & Che-Na-Wa
- Cold River Campsite
- Sno-Bird
- Wilderness Campground At Heart Lake
- Wanika Falls Campsite
Track Beaver Flow 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 Beaver Flow Dam
Where does the data for Beaver Flow 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 Beaver Flow Dam.