Harrower Lower Dam dam
Harrower Lower Dam
Harrower Lower Dam, located in Hagaman, New York, along the Chuctanunda Creek, was completed in 1898 and serves as a private hydroelectric facility. This concrete dam stands at 8 feet high and spans 50 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 3 acre-feet. The dam is state-regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring proper permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols are in place.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Harrower Lower Dam remains a critical structure in the region's water resource management. Despite not being condition-rated, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are not currently assessed. The dam's spillway, with a width of 40 feet, operates as uncontrolled, allowing for necessary discharge during peak flow events. Congressman Paul Tonko represents the area and oversees federal interests related to this dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harrower Lower Dam offers a glimpse into the historical infrastructure that continues to play a vital role in renewable energy production and water management in Montgomery County, New York. As efforts to modernize and improve dam safety continue, the importance of balancing environmental concerns with hydroelectric power generation remains a key focus for stakeholders and regulators alike. This dam stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of early 20th-century engineering and serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for sustainable water resource management practices in the face of climate change challenges.
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 Harrower Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Glowegee Creek At West Milton Ny | 37 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek At Burtonsville Ny | 676 cfs | → |
| Canajoharie Creek Nr Canajoharie Ny | 31 cfs | → |
| Otsquago Creek At Fort Plain Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 4,520 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River Near Hope Ny | 589 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harrower Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Mohawk River
- Dufel Road Town Of Glen
- Broadalbin Public Boat Launch
- Houseman Street Town Of Northampton
- Alco Heritage Trail Schenectady
Campgrounds
- Northampton Beach - Dec
- Caroga Lake - Dec
- Woods Lake Campsite #3
- Woods Lake Campsie #4
- West Stony Creek Campsite #2
- Rustic Barn Campground
Track Harrower Lower 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 Harrower Lower Dam
Where does the data for Harrower Lower 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 Harrower Lower Dam.