Ferguson Lake Dam dam
Ferguson Lake Dam
Located in Tarrytown, New York, the Ferguson Lake Dam serves as a vital water supply source for the local community. Built in 1915, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 200 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is regularly inspected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation.
With a spillway width of 10 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, the Ferguson Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential, prompting a moderate risk assessment rating. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, emergency action plans are in place to address any potential threats or emergencies. The dam's location on Rockefeller Brook and its role in water supply highlight the importance of proper management and maintenance to safeguard this essential infrastructure for the community's well-being and sustainability.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ferguson Lake Dam offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of historic infrastructure and modern-day environmental stewardship. As a regulated structure by the NYS DEC and with a primary purpose of water supply, the dam represents a crucial link in maintaining a sustainable water resource system. With ongoing inspections and risk assessments, the Ferguson Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive management in safeguarding our water sources 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 Ferguson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hackensack River At West Nyack Ny | 17 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 202 cfs | → |
| Hackensack River At Rivervale Nj | 35 cfs | → |
| Pascack Brook At Park Ridge Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Pascack Brook At Westwood Nj | 56 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River Below Dam At Amawalk Ny | 20 cfs | → |
About Ferguson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ferguson 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 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.