Canaan Lake Dam dam
Canaan Lake Dam
Canaan Lake Dam, located in North Patchogue, Suffolk County, New York, is a vital structure managed by the local government for recreation purposes. Built in 1912, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and spans 500 feet across the Patchogue River. With a normal storage capacity of 65 acre-feet and a max storage of 162 acre-feet, the dam serves as a controlled spillway with a width of 13 feet.
Despite being rated as a low hazard potential, Canaan Lake Dam is deemed to have a very high risk level, highlighting the need for thorough risk management measures. While the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, its last inspection dates back to March 1971. The dam is state-regulated and maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with state permitting and inspection processes in place.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts monitoring Canaan Lake Dam can appreciate its historical significance and importance for recreational activities in the area. As a significant structure along the Patchogue River, efforts to ensure its safety and proper management will be crucial in mitigating risks and safeguarding the surrounding community and environment from any potential hazards.
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 Canaan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swan River At East Patchogue Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Carmans River At Yaphank Ny | 15 cfs | → |
| Connetquot Bk Nr Central Islip Ny | 21 cfs | → |
| Nissequogue River Near Smithtown Ny | 31 cfs | → |
| Sampawams Creek At Babylon Ny | 9 cfs | → |
| Carlls River At Babylon Ny | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Canaan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Ronkonkoma
- Lower Lake
- Long Beach Road Nissequogue
- Long Island Greenbelt Trail Suffolk County
- Peconic River
Campgrounds
- Watch Hill Campgrounds
- Southaven County Park
- Cathedral Pines County Park
- Blydenburgh Park
- Cupsogue County Park
- Wildwood State Park
Fishing spots
Track Canaan 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 Canaan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Canaan 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 Canaan Lake Dam.