Pine Hill Lake Dam dam
Pine Hill Lake Dam
Pine Hill Lake Dam in Big Indian, Ulster County, New York, stands as a vital water resource managed by the state for both recreation and water supply purposes. Built in 1987, this earth dam boasts a height of 28 feet and a length of 1257 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 116 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to provide recreational opportunities while ensuring a reliable water supply for the surrounding area.
Situated on Birch Creek, Pine Hill Lake Dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and undergoes regular inspections to maintain its structural integrity and ensure public safety. With a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 298 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle significant water flow and mitigate potential hazards. Despite being classified as having a moderate risk level, the dam's condition remains unrated, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures.
As a significant component of the local water infrastructure, Pine Hill Lake Dam plays a crucial role in both recreational enjoyment and water supply reliability. With its strategic location in the scenic surroundings of Ulster County, this dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management and serves as a vital link in sustaining the natural environment and community well-being 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 Pine Hill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Birch Creek At Big Indian Ny | 20 cfs | → |
| Esopus Creek At Allaben Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill Near Arkville Ny | 65 cfs | → |
| Dry Brook At Arkville | 122 cfs | → |
| Woodland Creek Above Mouth At Phoenicia Ny | 25 cfs | → |
| West Kill Near West Kill Ny | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pine Hill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bureau Of Water Supply Road 3 Town Of Andes
- Loop A Town Of Woodstock
- Nyc 4 Road Town Of Andes
- State Highway 55a Town Of Wawarsing
- Mine Kill State Park Road Town Of Blenheim
- South Partition Street 69, Saugerties
Track Pine Hill Lake 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 Pine Hill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pine Hill Lake 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 Significant 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 Pine Hill Lake Dam.