Crescent - Dam A dam
Crescent - Dam A
Crescent - Dam A, located in Cohoes, New York, on the Mohawk River, is a key hydroelectric structure with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1912. This concrete gravity dam stands at 53 feet high and stretches 902 feet in length, providing essential services for navigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 70,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 548,300 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Operated by the State of New York, Crescent - Dam A is not only an engineering marvel but also a significant regulatory asset under the purview of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures. With its multi-arch design and rock foundation, the dam continues to serve as a vital component of the region's water infrastructure, ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources for generations to come.
As climate change impacts water availability and variability, Crescent - Dam A stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving environmental challenges. With its strategic location and critical functions, this dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management, climate adaptation, and sustainable energy production, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the complex dynamics of water infrastructure in a changing world.
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 Crescent - Dam A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 14,100 cfs | → |
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 50 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crescent - Dam A .
Boat launches
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- North Schermerhorn Road 22, City Of Cohoes
- Clamsteam Road Boat Launch
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Lock One Road Town Of Halfmoon
Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Lake Lauderdale Campground
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
Track Crescent - Dam A 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 Crescent - Dam A
Where does the data for Crescent - Dam A 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 Crescent - Dam A .