Lake Frederick dam
Lake Frederick
Lake Frederick in Orange County, New York, is a federally owned recreational water body with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1911. Nestled in the Central Valley/Woodbury area, the lake serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond and a popular spot for outdoor recreation. Managed by the US Army, the dam structure is primarily earth-based with a height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 20 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 273 acre-feet.
Despite its tranquil appearance, Lake Frederick poses a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being unavailable, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and risk management measures. With a controlled spillway width of 15 feet and a maximum discharge of 135 cubic feet per second, the lake's risk assessment is classified as very high. Emergency action plans have been prepared and revised in the past, indicating a commitment to ensuring the safety of the surrounding community in case of an unforeseen event.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Frederick presents a fascinating case study in dam management and the intersection of recreation and safety. With its unique design features and federal ownership, the lake stands as a testament to the delicate balance between environmental conservation, public enjoyment, and risk mitigation in the face of potential emergencies. As efforts continue to monitor and assess the lake's condition, Lake Frederick remains a valuable resource for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts alike, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices in a changing climate.
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 Lake Frederick -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahwah River Near Suffern Ny | 7 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Ramapo Ny | 60 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 272 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Suffern Ny | 40 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River Near Mahwah Nj | 67 cfs | → |
| Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque Nj | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Frederick .
Boat launches
- Bear Mountain Bridge Road Cortlandt
- Broadway Buchanan
- Battlefield Road Town Of Stony Point
- Hudson Avenue Peekskill
- Cortlandt Street Cortlandt
- Laurel Meadow Drive Town Of Warwick
Campgrounds
- Round Pond Military
- Beaver Pond Campsite
- Beaver Pond - Harriman State Park
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Croton Point Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
Track Lake Frederick 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 Lake Frederick
Where does the data for Lake Frederick 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 Lake Frederick .