Glenwood Lake Dam dam
Glenwood Lake Dam
Glenwood Lake Dam, located in Ridgeway, New York, on the Oak Orchard Creek, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1903, the dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans a length of 1900 feet, with a storage capacity of 2300 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3480 cubic feet per second. The dam is predominantly an earth structure and has a spillway width of 100 feet.
The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with regular inspections indicating a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2019. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is deemed to have moderate risk, possibly due to the presence of emergency action plans and risk management measures. The surrounding area benefits from the dam's presence, with a surface area of 80 acres and a drainage area of 150 square miles, providing valuable water resources for various purposes.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Glenwood Lake Dam serves as a notable structure for hydroelectric power generation in the region. Its historical significance, coupled with its impact on water storage and discharge, makes it a key component in the local ecosystem. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance ensure the dam's continued functionality and safety, highlighting the importance of responsible dam management in mitigating potential risks and maximizing water resource utilization in a sustainable manner.
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 Glenwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Batavia Ny | 535 cfs | → |
| Ellicott Creek Below Williamsville Ny | 498 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 140 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 195 cfs | → |
| Black Creek At Churchville Ny | 445 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glenwood Lake Dam.
Track Glenwood 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 Glenwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Glenwood 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 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 Glenwood Lake Dam.