Lake Algonquin dam
Lake Algonquin
Lake Algonquin, located in Hamilton, New York, is a picturesque reservoir formed by the Sacandaga River and boasting a surface area of 275 acres. Constructed in 1959, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 18 feet and serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, fire protection, recreation, and water supply. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Lake Algonquin holds a storage capacity of 2557 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 9700 cubic feet per second.
With its significant hazard potential and very high risk assessment rating, Lake Algonquin plays a crucial role in the region's water resource management. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 200 feet and three vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is not available, showcasing the need for ongoing inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of this vital water infrastructure in New York. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Algonquin presents a fascinating case study in the intersection of hydroelectric power, recreational use, and environmental stewardship.
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 Lake Algonquin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sacandaga River Near Hope Ny | 589 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River At Stewarts Bridge Nr Hadley Ny | 433 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Hadley Ny | 3,040 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Indian Lake Ny | 406 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At North Creek Ny | 1,560 cfs | → |
| Glowegee Creek At West Milton Ny | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Algonquin .
Boat launches
- Sacandaga Lake Dec Boat Launch
- Sacandaga Reservoir
- Houseman Street Town Of Northampton
- Public Boat Launch
- Overlook Road Town Of Hadley
- North Shore Road Town Of Hadley
Track Lake Algonquin 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 Lake Algonquin
Where does the data for Lake Algonquin 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 Lake Algonquin .