Rock Tavern Dam dam
Rock Tavern Dam
Rock Tavern Dam, located in Washingtonville, New York, is a State-owned structure regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This Earth-type dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond along the TR-OTTER KILL river or stream, with a height of 10 feet and a length of 675 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet and a surface area of 31 acres, providing essential habitat for local wildlife.
Despite its low hazard potential, Rock Tavern Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 55 feet and a maximum discharge of 438 cubic feet per second. The last inspection of the dam took place in October 2007, with its condition currently rated as "Not Rated." While the dam is not under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting wildlife in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Rock Tavern Dam as a vital component of the local ecosystem, providing a safe haven for fish and wildlife. With its regulated status and maintenance measures in place, the dam ensures both environmental protection and public safety. As a key feature in the Orange County landscape, Rock Tavern Dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water management practices in supporting ecological diversity and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Rock Tavern Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wallkill River At Gardiner Ny | 276 cfs | → |
| Wappinger Creek Near Wappingers Falls Ny | 30 cfs | → |
| Neversink River At Godeffroy Ny | 197 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River At Richardsville Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| Wanaque River At Awosting Nj | 32 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Ramapo Ny | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Tavern Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Rock Tavern Dam
Where does the data for Rock Tavern 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 below 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.
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.