High Dam dam
High Dam
High Dam, also known as Lock No.6 Dam, is a gravity dam located in Oswego, New York, along the Oswego River. Built in 1928, this state-owned structure serves primarily as a hydroelectric facility, with a secondary purpose of navigation. Standing at 35 feet tall and stretching 900 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 3,927 acre-feet and can discharge a maximum of 32,500 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, High Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location and design. Despite its age, the dam has been inspected regularly, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. An emergency action plan has been prepared and revised, ensuring that the surrounding area is prepared for any potential risks associated with the dam.
With a moderate risk assessment rating, High Dam remains a key feature in the water resource management of the area. Its historical significance and continued function as a hydroelectric facility make it a valuable asset for both energy production and waterway navigation in the region.
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 High Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oswego River At Lock 7 | 17,600 cfs | → |
| Oneida River Near Euclid Ny | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 583 cfs | → |
| Seneca River (Erie Canal) Near Port Byron Ny | 7,850 cfs | → |
| Scriba Creek Near Constantia Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Ninemile Creek At Lakeland Ny | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near High Dam .
Boat launches
- County Route 40 Town Of Mexico
- State Street 129, Phoenix
- Oneida River
- West Port Bay Road 7756, Wolcott Town
- Cline Shores 8117, Wolcott
- Lions Parkway Baldwinsville
Campgrounds
- Fair Haven Beach State Park
- Selkirk Shores State Park
- Bears Sleepy Hollow
- Oneida Shores County Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
Track High 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 High Dam
Where does the data for High 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 High Dam .