Morgan Lake Dam dam
Morgan Lake Dam
Morgan Lake Dam, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, is a local government-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1868, the earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 277 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 91 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the TR-Fall Kill river/stream and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).
With a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment as of May 2018, Morgan Lake Dam poses a moderate risk level (3) according to the data provided. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 5 feet, and it has a drainage area of 0.51 square miles. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide essential recreational opportunities for the community and visitors, offering an 8-acre surface area for activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking.
As a key feature in the Philadelphia District, Morgan Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, with the last conducted in November 2020. It is important for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor the condition of such structures to ensure their safety and functionality, especially in the face of changing environmental conditions. With its historical significance and ongoing relevance for recreation, Morgan Lake Dam remains a notable site in Dutchess 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 Morgan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wappinger Creek Near Wappingers Falls Ny | 120 cfs | → |
| Rondout Creek At Rosendale Ny | 191 cfs | → |
| Wallkill River At Gardiner Ny | 286 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River At Richardsville Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| Tenmile River Near Gaylordsville | 156 cfs | → |
| Horse Pound Brook Near Lake Carmel Ny | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Street Poughkeepsie
- Clearwater Drive Town Of Poughkeepsie
- River Road 46, Town Of Lloyd
- River Road 190, Hyde Park
- Old Indian Trail 98, Town Of Marlborough
- Spring Street 51, Wappingers Falls
Campgrounds
- Margaret Norrie State Park
- Samuel F. Pryor Iii Shawangunk Gateway Campground
- Clarence Fahnestock State Park
- Wilcox Memorial Park
- Schaghticoke Mountain Camping Area
- Macedonia Brook State 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
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Morgan 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 Morgan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Morgan 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 Morgan Lake Dam.