Murder Creek Dam dam
Murder Creek Dam
Murder Creek Dam, located in Griswold, New York, was completed in 1927 and primarily serves as a recreational area. With a dam height of 10 feet and a length of 400 feet, it has a storage capacity of 275 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 37 acres. The dam is situated on Murder Creek and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, it has been rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 70 feet and is regularly inspected by state authorities. While the risk assessment for Murder Creek Dam is considered moderate, it has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) date. The dam has not undergone any significant modifications in recent years, and there are no emergency action plans (EAP) in place. The condition of the dam is currently not rated, but it meets state regulatory requirements for inspection and enforcement.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Murder Creek Dam an interesting case study due to its historical significance, recreational purpose, and moderate risk assessment. The dam serves as a vital recreational area in Erie County, New York, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based recreation. With its low hazard potential and regular regulatory oversight, Murder Creek Dam presents a unique combination of historical importance and modern safety standards that make it an intriguing subject for further study and exploration in the context of water resource management and climate adaptation.
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 Murder Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 195 cfs | → |
| Ellicott Creek Below Williamsville Ny | 498 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 140 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Batavia Ny | 535 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Gardenville Ny | 354 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murder Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Rapids Road Royalton
- Erie Canalway Trail Medina
- Glenwood Lake Boat Launch
- Medina Boat Launch Driveway Medina
- Buffalo River
- Sweeney Street 716, North Tonawanda
Track Murder Creek 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 Murder Creek Dam
Where does the data for Murder Creek 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 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 Murder Creek Dam.