Watertown Municipal Power Dam dam
Watertown Municipal Power Dam
Located in Watertown, New York, the Watertown Municipal Power Dam harnesses the power of the Black River to generate hydroelectric energy. Built in 1913, this concrete dam stands at 12 feet tall and spans a length of 250 feet, with a storage capacity of 241 acre-feet. The dam is situated within a drainage area of 1874 square miles, providing a vital source of renewable energy for the local community.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the Watertown Municipal Power Dam is a crucial structure that requires regular inspections and maintenance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 200 feet and is owned and operated by the local government. While not state regulated or permitted, the dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Watertown Municipal Power Dam is a fascinating example of sustainable energy generation through hydroelectric power. With its historic significance and important role in providing renewable energy to the community, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management and environmental stewardship in the face of climate change.
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 Watertown Municipal Power Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Watertown Ny | 3,170 cfs | → |
| Sandy Creek Near Adams Ny | 166 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 601 cfs | → |
| West Branch Oswegatchie R Nr Harrisville Ny | 496 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 123 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 717 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watertown Municipal Power Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson County
- Conservation Department Road Jefferson County
- Hewitt Drive West Carthage
- West Main Street 302, Sackets Harbor
- Six Town Pond
Campgrounds
- Remington Park Rv Military - Fort Drum
- Westcott Beach State Park
- Long Point State Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
- Grass Point State Park
- Cedar Point State Park
Track Watertown Municipal 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 Watertown Municipal Power Dam
Where does the data for Watertown Municipal 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 Watertown Municipal Power Dam.