Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7 dam
Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7
Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7, also known as Iroquois Refuge Marsh, is a federal-owned structure located in Orleans, New York. Completed in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and stretches 1200 feet in length, providing storage capacity of 305 acre-feet for the TR-OAK ORCHARD CREEK. With a normal storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a surface area of 84 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam at Iroquois National Refuge is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam has not been inspected since 1977, but it is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. With uncontrolled spillways and a maximum discharge of 236 cubic feet per second, the dam serves multiple purposes and is essential for maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7 to be a fascinating structure, not only for its functional aspects but also for its environmental significance. With its strategic location and design, this dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in the region and serves as a vital component in the conservation of the Iroquois National Refuge ecosystem.
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 Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Creek At Batavia Ny | 535 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 140 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 195 cfs | → |
| Ellicott Creek Below Williamsville Ny | 498 cfs | → |
| Black Creek At Churchville Ny | 445 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7.
Track Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7 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 Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7
Where does the data for Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7 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 Low 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 Iroquois National Refuge Dam Site #7.