Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam dam
Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam
The Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam in Smith Valley, New York, is a privately owned structure completed in 1955 for recreational purposes. Situated along the TR-TAUGHANNOCK CREEK, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a length of 258 feet, creating a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. With a surface area of 17 acres and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), the Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam provides opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 90 feet, ensuring safe discharge during high water events. While the dam's condition is currently rated as "Not Rated," regular state inspections and enforcement measures are in place to ensure its safety and functionality. The surrounding community can enjoy activities such as fishing, bird-watching, and hiking in the scenic surroundings of this wildlife pond.
Located in Schuyler County, this dam serves as a vital resource for water conservation and wildlife habitat preservation. With its strategic position within the watershed, the Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and supporting local ecosystems. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of sustainable dam management and environmental conservation becomes increasingly significant. By prioritizing proper maintenance and regulatory oversight, this dam exemplifies the efforts to balance human recreation needs with the preservation of natural habitats and water resources 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 Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Creek Near Ithaca Ny | 102 cfs | → |
| Sixmile Creek At Bethel Grove | 28 cfs | → |
| Sixmile Creek At Brooktondale Ny | 83 cfs | → |
| Chemung River At Elmira Ny | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Keuka Lake Outlet At Dresden Ny | 170 cfs | → |
| Chemung River At Corning Ny | 142 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Cayuta Lake Boat Launch
- Ny 414 Watkins Glen
- Seneca Lake Boat Launch
- Lodi Point State Marine Park
- Lamoka Lake
- Pipe Pk Road Schuyler County
Track Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond 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 Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond 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 Ralph De Pew Wildlife Pond Dam.