Caroga Lake Dam dam
Caroga Lake Dam
Caroga Lake Dam, located in Fulton County, New York, is a privately owned structure regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Built in 1910, this timber crib dam stands at a height of 4 feet and spans 200 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2,574 acre-feet. The dam serves as a crucial component in managing the water levels of the East Caroga Outlet, with a controlled spillway designed to handle a maximum discharge of 90 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Caroga Lake Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2020, indicating a proactive approach to risk management and ensuring the safety of the surrounding community in the event of a potential breach. With a very high risk assessment rating, stakeholders are keenly focused on implementing necessary risk management measures to mitigate any potential threats associated with this essential water resource structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Caroga Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in the intersection of historical infrastructure and modern regulatory practices. As a key element in the local water management system, this timber crib dam continues to play a vital role in supporting the ecological balance of the region while also facing the challenges of aging infrastructure and evolving safety standards. The ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts at Caroga Lake Dam underscore the critical importance of maintaining and safeguarding our water resources in the face of increasing climate-related risks.
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 Caroga Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Canada Creek At East Creek Ny | 29 cfs | → |
| Otsquago Creek At Fort Plain Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Near Little Falls Ny | 2,010 cfs | → |
| Canajoharie Creek Nr Canajoharie Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River Near Hope Ny | 436 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek At Kast Bridge Ny | 1,290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Caroga Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Public Boat Launch
- Mohawk River
- Broadalbin Public Boat Launch
- Dufel Road Town Of Glen
- Houseman Street Town Of Northampton
- Sacandaga Lake Dec Boat Launch
Track Caroga 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 Caroga Lake Dam
Where does the data for Caroga 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 Caroga Lake Dam.