Ida Lake Dam dam
Ida Lake Dam
Ida Lake Dam, also known as Belden Pond or Mt Ida Dam, is a vital structure located in Troy, New York, along the Poestenkill river. Constructed in 1912, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet and a surface area of 10 acres. Despite its age, the dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 180 feet in length, making it an impressive sight for water resource and climate enthusiasts to admire.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NYS DEC, Ida Lake Dam has a low hazard potential but is in poor condition as of the last assessment in 2018. With a moderate risk level of 3, the dam presents some concerns that require attention. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and measures 140 feet in width, is a key feature that helps manage water levels in case of excess flow. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, regular inspections and enforcement by state agencies ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
As a key component of the local landscape, Ida Lake Dam offers both recreational opportunities and important water management functions. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance needs, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. For those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate resilience, Ida Lake Dam provides a fascinating case study to explore.
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 Ida Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 13,600 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 | → |
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 104 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ida Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Forbes Road Rensselaer
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Albany
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
- North Schermerhorn Road 22, City Of Cohoes
Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
Track Ida 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 Ida Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ida 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 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 Ida Lake Dam.