Whitney Pond Dam dam
Whitney Pond Dam
Whitney Pond Dam, located in West Amboy, New York, is a state-regulated structure designed primarily for fish and wildlife pond purposes. This earth-type dam, completed in 1938, stands at 17 feet tall and spans a length of 208 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 930 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the North Branch of the Little Salmon River and is under the jurisdiction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Whitney Pond Dam has not been inspected since April 1984 and is currently listed as "Not Rated" for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 3150 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its intended purpose effectively, providing essential habitat for local fish and wildlife populations.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and ecological importance of Whitney Pond Dam, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the surrounding ecosystem. As a state-regulated structure with a focus on conservation and wildlife management, the dam serves as a vital asset in preserving the natural biodiversity of the region. While the dam's condition assessment is currently "Not Rated," ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts ensure its continued functionality and environmental contributions for years to come.
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 Whitney Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 583 cfs | → |
| Scriba Creek Near Constantia Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Oneida River Near Euclid Ny | 6,420 cfs | → |
| East Branch Fish Creek At Taberg Ny | 499 cfs | → |
| Ley Creek At Park Street | 16 cfs | → |
| Oswego River At Lock 7 | 17,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitney Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Oneida Lake
- County Route 40 Town Of Mexico
- Boat Launch Access Town Of Cicero
- Doreen Drive Town Of Sandy Creek
- Oneida River
Campgrounds
- Bears Sleepy Hollow
- Selkirk Shores State Park
- Oneida Shores County Park
- Verona Beach State Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
- Green Lakes State Park
Track Whitney Pond 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 Whitney Pond Dam
Where does the data for Whitney Pond 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 Whitney Pond Dam.