Tomhannock Reservoir Dam dam
Tomhannock Reservoir Dam
The Tomhannock Reservoir Dam, located in Rensselaer, New York, serves as a critical water supply infrastructure for the local communities of Pittstown and Schaghticoke. Completed in 1905, this earth dam stands at a height of 68 feet and has a length of 700 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 56,600 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 1,742 acres and has a normal storage level of 39,521 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Tomhannock Reservoir Dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition with a high hazard potential. Its spillway, with a width of 300 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam is inspected every two years to ensure its structural integrity. While the dam poses a moderate risk, measures are in place to manage and mitigate any potential hazards, ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Tomhannock Reservoir Dam represents a crucial piece of infrastructure that supports the local water supply needs and contributes to the overall environmental resilience of the area. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions and increasing water demands.
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 Tomhannock Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 5,180 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 12,800 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Eagle Bridge Ny | 742 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tomhannock Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Hudson River Road 951, City Of Mechanicville
- Lock One Road Town Of Halfmoon
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- North Schermerhorn Road 22, City Of Cohoes
Campgrounds
- Lake Lauderdale Campground
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Sherman Brook Campsite
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Moreau Lake State Park
Track Tomhannock Reservoir 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 Tomhannock Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Tomhannock Reservoir 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 Tomhannock Reservoir Dam.