Blanchard Pond Dam dam
Blanchard Pond Dam
Blanchard Pond Dam, located in Natural Bridge, New York, is a concrete structure completed in 1931 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 80 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet. Blanchard Pond Dam is situated on Blanchard Creek, with a drainage area of 10 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1000 cubic feet per second. The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and is inspected regularly to ensure public safety.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential and not currently assessed for condition, Blanchard Pond Dam poses a moderate risk level (3) according to the available data. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 34 feet, and its surface area covers 7 acres. The dam is not owned or funded by any federal agency, and its operations and maintenance fall under private ownership. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Blanchard Pond Dam serves as an important resource for water enthusiasts and climate advocates in Lewis County, New York.
As a vital part of the local ecosystem and recreational landscape, Blanchard Pond Dam plays a key role in managing water resources and providing outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike. The dam's regulated status, regular inspections, and adherence to state permitting and enforcement guidelines ensure that it continues to serve its purpose while prioritizing public safety and environmental conservation. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Blanchard Pond Dam represents a unique intersection of human engineering and natural beauty, showcasing the importance of responsible dam management in preserving our waterways for future generations.
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 Blanchard Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 633 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 893 cfs | → |
| Oswegatchie River Near Oswegatchie Ny | 832 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 219 cfs | → |
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 4,300 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 655 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blanchard Pond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Oswegatchie 44
- Oswegatchie 41/High Rock
- Oswegatchie 42
- Oswegatchie 43
- Oswegatchie 45
Track Blanchard 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 Blanchard Pond Dam
Where does the data for Blanchard 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 Blanchard Pond Dam.