Rock Island Dam dam
Rock Island Dam
Rock Island Dam, located in Port Leyden, New York, is a privately owned concrete dam on the Black River with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1984, this 12-foot tall structure spans 96 feet in length and has a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 96 feet and is situated within the Lewis County, New York area. Owned and operated by private entities, Rock Island Dam plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the Black River for renewable energy production. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment rating underscores the importance of diligent risk management measures to mitigate any potential impacts on the surrounding environment and communities.
Rock Island Dam remains a significant infrastructure for the region's water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its hydroelectric capabilities and state-regulated operations, the dam serves as a vital component in the sustainable utilization of water resources for energy production in New York. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water availability and management, the presence of structures like Rock Island Dam highlights the importance of responsible dam ownership and maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of our water systems.
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 Rock Island Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Boonville Ny | 399 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 564 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Below Delta Dam Near Rome Ny | 226 cfs | → |
| East Branch Fish Creek At Taberg Ny | 499 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 292 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Island Dam.
Boat launches
- Black River
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
- Soft Maple Reservoir
- Stillwater Reservoir
- Twichell Lake
Campgrounds
- Whetstone Gulf State Park
- Pixley Falls State Park
- Nicks Lake - Dec
- Delta Lake State Park
- Limekiln Lake - Dec
Track Rock Island 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 Rock Island Dam
Where does the data for Rock Island 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 Rock Island Dam.