Elk Lake Dam dam
Elk Lake Dam
Elk Lake Dam, located in Essex, New York, is a rockfill dam completed in 1965 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a length of 156 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 2520 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-THE BRANCH river/stream, with a drainage area of 17.7 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1470 cfs.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), Elk Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite the moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been assigned a Dam Safety Action Classification (DSAC) date, indicating a need for further evaluation and potential risk management measures. While the dam is not owned or funded by federal agencies, it is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Elk Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in recreational dam management. With its uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk assessment, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The dam's location in the picturesque Blue Ridge area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and water-based activities, making it a valuable resource for the local community and visitors alike.
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 Elk Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny | 360 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At North Creek Ny | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Indian Lake Ny | 433 cfs | → |
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 403 cfs | → |
| Ausable River Near Au Sable Forks Ny | 884 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Rock Pond Trail Essex County
- Bulwagga Drive Port Henry
- Port Henry Boat Launch
- Us 9 Town Of Chester
- Bridge Road Essex County
- Schroon Lake
Campgrounds
- Sno-Bird
- Sharp Bridge - Dec
- Paradox Lake - Dec
- Wilderness Campground At Heart Lake
- Lincoln Pond - Dec
- Camps Baco & Che-Na-Wa
Fishing spots
Track Elk Lake 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 Elk Lake Dam
Where does the data for Elk Lake 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 Elk Lake Dam.