Springville Dam dam
Springville Dam
Springville Dam, located in Gowanda Village, New York, is a key water resource managed by the local government for recreational purposes. Completed in 1922, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 338 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 1,170 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the Cattaraugus Creek, has a spillway width of 182 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 23,192 cubic feet per second, making it crucial for flood control in the area.
Despite its fair condition assessment, the Springville Dam has a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections and a moderate risk rating. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulates and inspects the dam to ensure its safety and operational efficiency. With a history of modifications and maintenance, the dam continues to play a vital role in water management and recreational activities in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate the significance of Springville Dam in preserving the ecological balance and water security in Erie County, New York.
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 Springville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cattaraugus Creek At Gowanda Ny | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Allegheny River At Salamanca Ny | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Cazenovia Creek At Ebenezer Ny | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Gardenville Ny | 825 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 622 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 369 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Springville Dam.
Boat launches
- Genesee Road North Collins
- Aldrich Street Gowanda / Jogowöde'
- New Albion Lake
- Harwood Lake
- Front Avenue 494, Salamanca
- Asp Rte 1 Cattaraugus County
Track Springville 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 Springville Dam
Where does the data for Springville 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 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 Springville Dam.