Benson Mines Plant Dam dam
Benson Mines Plant Dam
Benson Mines Plant Dam, located in Star Lake, New York, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the NYS DEC. This earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a length of 400 feet, providing irrigation services along the Little River. With a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 5600 cubic feet per second, the dam serves a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition has not been rated, and the last inspection was conducted in July 2010. The spillway, categorized as uncontrolled, has a width of 26 feet. Even though the dam has not been modified in recent years, it continues to fulfill its primary purpose of irrigation effectively. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the infrastructure and maintenance of dams like Benson Mines Plant Dam is crucial in managing water resources sustainably and adapting to changing climatic conditions.
With the dam's operational status in mind, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize regular inspections, maintenance, and risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure. Collaborative efforts between the private owners, regulatory agencies, and the community can help mitigate potential risks and enhance the resilience of the dam in the face of climate variability. As advocates for sustainable water resource management, staying informed about the condition and operation of dams like Benson Mines Plant Dam is key to fostering a more resilient and adaptive water infrastructure system.
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 Benson Mines Plant Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 728 cfs | → |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 523 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Piercefield Ny | 2,010 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 2,850 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 559 cfs | → |
| W Br St. Regis R Nr Parishville Ny | 348 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benson Mines Plant Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Benson Mines Plant 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 Benson Mines Plant Dam
Where does the data for Benson Mines Plant 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 Benson Mines Plant Dam.