Wright Lake Dam dam
Wright Lake Dam
Wright Lake Dam, located in Troy, New York, stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity since its completion in 1861. This earth dam, with a height of 46 feet and a length of 350 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Situated on the Piscawan Kill River, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 129 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7 acres, all within a drainage area of 2.57 square miles.
Although the dam's hazard potential is deemed high, its condition assessment remains fair as of the last inspection in June 2017. The emergency action plan (EAP) is yet to be prepared, raising concerns about its readiness in case of unforeseen events. Despite these challenges, the dam continues to be a vital part of the local landscape, attracting visitors and wildlife alike to its tranquil waters. As climate change intensifies, the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures grows, ensuring their safety and longevity for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
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 Wright Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 13,600 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 4,520 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 9,390 cfs | → |
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 104 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wright Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 123rd Street 6, City Of Troy
- Crescent Road Town Of Colonie
- Flightlock Road Town Of Waterford
- North Schermerhorn Road 22, City Of Cohoes
- Lock One Road Town Of Halfmoon
- Clamsteam Road Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Pittsfield State Forest
- Sites 11, 12, 13
Track Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam.