Gill Creek Dam dam
Gill Creek Dam
Located in Niagara Falls, New York, the Gill Creek Dam, also known as Hyde Park Lake, is a private concrete dam completed in 1927 for recreational purposes. With a height of 12 feet and a length of 180 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet and a surface area of 32 acres. Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement to maintain its safety.
The dam, situated on Gill Creek, does not have a spillway but is equipped with a spillway width of 180 feet. The risk assessment for Gill Creek Dam is rated as high (2), prompting the need for effective risk management measures to address any potential issues that may arise. Although the last inspection date is listed as December 31, 1901, the state regulatory agency and owner are responsible for ensuring the dam's integrity and emergency preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gill Creek Dam presents an intriguing case study in private dam ownership and state regulation. As a recreational structure nestled in a picturesque setting, the dam's historical significance and risk profile underscore the importance of proactive management and maintenance to safeguard both the community and the environment. With its unique features and regulatory oversight, Gill Creek Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water management, infrastructure resilience, and stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Gill Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ellicott Creek Below Williamsville Ny | 142 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 487 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Gardenville Ny | 325 cfs | → |
| Cazenovia Creek At Ebenezer Ny | 345 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 155 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gill Creek Dam.
Track Gill Creek 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 Gill Creek Dam
Where does the data for Gill Creek 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 Gill Creek Dam.