Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 dam
Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2
Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2, also known as Oswego Falls East & West Dams, is a significant hydroelectric structure located in Fulton, New York on the Oswego River. Built in 1927, this concrete dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 316 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 3540 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, navigation, and recreation, highlighting its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 has a controlled spillway with a width of 208 feet and six Tainter radial gates for water regulation. With a maximum discharge capacity of 70,000 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water flow management in the region. Despite its significant hazard potential and very high risk assessment rating, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and public safety.
As a key feature of the Buffalo District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate adaptation, and sustainable energy production. With its historical significance, multi-purpose functionality, and potential risks, this dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the complex interplay between infrastructure, natural resources, and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 -- 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 | → |
| Ninemile Creek At Lakeland Ny | 103 cfs | → |
| Seneca River (Erie Canal) Near Port Byron Ny | 7,850 cfs | → |
| Ley Creek At Park Street | 16 cfs | → |
| Scriba Creek Near Constantia Ny | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 .
Boat launches
- State Street 129, Phoenix
- Oneida River
- Lions Parkway Baldwinsville
- County Route 40 Town Of Mexico
- Boat Launch Access Town Of Cicero
- Seneca River
Campgrounds
- Fair Haven Beach State Park
- Oneida Shores County Park
- Bears Sleepy Hollow
- Selkirk Shores State Park
- Green Lakes State Park
- Rolling Hills Camping Area
Track Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 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 Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2
Where does the data for Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 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 Upper Fulton Lock & Dam 2 .