Potsdam - East Dam dam
Potsdam - East Dam
Potsdam - East Dam, located on the Raquette River in New York, was completed in 1903 and serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, debris control, water supply, and recreation. This masonry dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a length of 165 feet, with a storage capacity of 750 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk (3). The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 165 feet, and the dam is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. The surrounding area has a surface area of 300 acres and a drainage area of 1,031 square miles. The dam's condition assessment is not available, but emergency action plans were last revised in 2012.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Potsdam - East Dam represents a critical piece of infrastructure that plays a key role in managing water resources and providing essential services to the surrounding communities. With its long history and diverse set of purposes, this dam showcases the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the dam, it serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of water resources and the need for proactive stewardship in the face of environmental 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 Potsdam - East Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raquette River At Raymondville Ny | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Grass River At Chase Mills Ny | 992 cfs | → |
| W Br St. Regis R Nr Parishville Ny | 362 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River At Brasher Center Ny | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Heuvelton Ny | 2,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potsdam - East Dam .
Boat launches
- Colton
- Grass River
- St Regis River
- Mcginnis Road 398, Saint Lawrence County
- Park Lane Waddington
- Wilson Hill Causeway Saint Lawrence County
Track Potsdam - East 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 Potsdam - East Dam
Where does the data for Potsdam - East 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 Potsdam - East Dam .