Hastings Power Dam dam
Hastings Power Dam
Hastings Power Dam, located in Snyders Corners, New York, is a concrete structure completed in 1920 with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Situated on the Wynantskill River, this dam stands at 22 feet high and spans 125 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet. With a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment as of December 2019, it is subject to regular inspections and falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Despite its age, the Hastings Power Dam continues to serve as a vital source of hydroelectric power in the region, contributing to both energy production and irrigation purposes. Its uncontrolled spillway, 30 feet wide, ensures the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. While facing moderate risks, efforts are in place to manage these risks effectively, ensuring the safety and functionality of the dam for the surrounding community and environment. As a privately-owned structure, the dam remains an essential component of the local water resource infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Hastings Power Dam presents a fascinating case study of a historic concrete dam with a rich legacy of contributing to sustainable energy production and water management. As efforts continue to maintain and improve its condition, the dam represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship, showcasing the importance of balancing the dual goals of power generation and ecological preservation in the face of changing climate dynamics. Its location on the Wynantskill River adds to the dam's significance as a key player in the broader water resource landscape of Rensselaer County, New York.
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 Hastings Power Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 13,600 cfs | → |
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 104 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 4,520 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 9,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hastings Power Dam.
Boat launches
- Forbes Road Rensselaer
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Albany
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Lyons Road 171, Town Of Bethlehem
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Birch Group Site
Track Hastings Power 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 Hastings Power Dam
Where does the data for Hastings Power 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 Hastings Power Dam.