Amawalk Dam dam
Amawalk Dam
Amawalk Dam, located in Yorktown Heights, New York, stands as a testament to engineering excellence since its completion in 1897. This earth dam serves the primary purpose of water supply, harnessing the waters of the Muscoot River to provide a storage capacity of 23,170 acre-feet. With a height of 85 feet and a length of 1,270 feet, Amawalk Dam not only ensures a reliable water source but also contributes to flood control in the region, boasting a spillway width of 50 feet for uncontrolled releases during high flow events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Amawalk Dam has been deemed to have a high hazard potential due to its structural characteristics and proximity to populated areas. However, recent inspections have determined the dam's condition to be satisfactory, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Emergency action plans are in place, though further updates and risk management measures may be necessary to ensure the continued safety and functionality of this vital water resource infrastructure.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the historical significance and strategic importance of Amawalk Dam in the Westchester County landscape. As a critical component of the region's water supply system, this engineering marvel continues to play a crucial role in water management and environmental stewardship, showcasing the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resources in sustaining communities for over a century.
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 Amawalk Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muscoot River Below Dam At Amawalk Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River At Baldwin Place Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| Cross River At Katonah Ny | 19 cfs | → |
| Titicus River At Purdys Station Ny | 14 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 272 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Amawalk Dam.
Boat launches
- Hudson Avenue Peekskill
- Croton Riverwalk Croton-On-Hudson
- Bear Mountain Bridge Road Cortlandt
- Cortlandt Street Cortlandt
- Broadway Buchanan
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
Campgrounds
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Croton Point Park
- Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
Track Amawalk 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 Amawalk Dam
Where does the data for Amawalk 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 High 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 Amawalk Dam.