Snow Bird Lake Dam dam
Snow Bird Lake Dam
Snow Bird Lake Dam, also known as Kincaid Dam, is a concrete structure located in Forestport Station, New York. Constructed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS, this privately owned dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a height of 18 feet with a length of 165 feet. Situated on the LITTLE WOODHULL CREEK, the dam has a storage capacity of 331 acre-feet and a surface area of 47 acres, making it a significant feature in the area's water resource management.
Managed by the NYS DEC, Snow Bird Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition but meets the necessary guidelines for emergency preparedness. Despite not being under the jurisdiction of the USACE, the dam remains an essential structure for water control and recreational activities in the region, contributing to the overall sustainability and resilience of the local environment.
Overall, Snow Bird Lake Dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure in the water resource management system of Oneida County, New York. With its controlled spillway, moderate risk assessment, and significant storage capacity, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential hazards. As a privately owned structure, it exemplifies the collaboration between government agencies and private entities in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region, making it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate.
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 Snow Bird Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Boonville Ny | 399 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 292 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Below Delta Dam Near Rome Ny | 226 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| East Branch Fish Creek At Taberg Ny | 499 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek At Kast Bridge Ny | 961 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Snow Bird Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
- Mohawk River
- Black River
- Seventh Lake
- Twichell Lake
- Stillwater Reservoir
Campgrounds
- Pixley Falls State Park
- Delta Lake State Park
- Nicks Lake - Dec
- Whetstone Gulf State Park
- Limekiln Lake - Dec
- South Lake Campsite
Track Snow Bird 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 Snow Bird Lake Dam
Where does the data for Snow Bird 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 Snow Bird Lake Dam.