Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 dam
Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5
Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5, located in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, New York, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risk in the area. Completed in 1961, this earth dam stands at a height of 54 feet and spans 1693 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1643 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-GATES CREEK and is regulated by the NYS DEC, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 serves as a critical flood risk reduction infrastructure in the region. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 22,137 cubic feet per second and features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 376 feet. The structure is regularly inspected, with the last assessment conducted in May 2020, and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3 indicates the importance of ongoing risk management measures to maintain its effectiveness in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flood events.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the significance of Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 as a vital piece of infrastructure in the region, designed to protect against flooding and ensure the safety of residents in Cattaraugus County, New York. As a key component of flood risk reduction efforts, this earth dam embodies the collaborative efforts of local government agencies, the USDA NRCS, and state regulatory authorities to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the watershed area. The ongoing maintenance and inspections of the dam underscore the commitment to ensuring its continued functionality and effectiveness in managing water resources and climate-related challenges in the region.
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 Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny River At Salamanca Ny | 3,760 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Eldred | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Genesee River At Portageville Ny | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Genesee River At Wellsville Ny | 547 cfs | → |
| Oswayo Creek At Shinglehouse | 145 cfs | → |
| Cattaraugus Creek At Gowanda Ny | 854 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5.
Boat launches
- Harwood Lake
- Southern Tier Expressway Cattaraugus County
- County Road 16 Allegany County
- Allen Lake
- Front Avenue 494, Salamanca
- Asp Rte 1 Cattaraugus County
Track Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 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 Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5
Where does the data for Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5 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 High 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 Ischua Creek Watershed Dam #5.