West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam dam
West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam
West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam, located in West Albany, New York, is a crucial structure designed for flood risk reduction along the Sand Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans a length of 160 feet, with a storage capacity of 23.8 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and functionality, with the last inspection conducted in April 2019.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam serves as a vital component in mitigating flood risks in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 96 feet, allowing for the safe release of excess water during heavy rainfall events. While the dam's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, ongoing risk management measures are in place to address any potential concerns and maintain the dam's operational effectiveness.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam presents an intriguing case study in flood risk reduction and infrastructure management. As a key structure in the local watershed, this dam plays a critical role in safeguarding the community against potential flooding events, highlighting the importance of proactive surveillance, maintenance, and risk mitigation strategies in ensuring the long-term resilience of water resources in the region.
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 West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 37 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 9,110 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 3,050 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam.
Boat launches
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Albany
- Forbes Road Rensselaer
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Niskayuna
- Forts Ferry Road 246, Town Of Colonie
- Clamsteam Road Boat Launch
- Erie Canal Towpath Town Of Clifton Park
Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
Track West Albany Storm Retention Basin B 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 West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam
Where does the data for West Albany Storm Retention Basin B 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 West Albany Storm Retention Basin B Dam.