Philmont Reservoir Dam dam
Philmont Reservoir Dam
Philmont Reservoir Dam, located in Columbia County, New York, was completed in 1916 and serves as a primary source of recreation for the surrounding area. This private dam, standing at a height of 35 feet and a length of 240 feet, impounds the waters of TR-AGAWAMUCK CREEK to create a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 515 acre-feet and a surface area of 38 acres, the dam's primary purpose is recreational, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Philmont Reservoir Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of nearby residents. With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam presents a crucial water management infrastructure in the region. Despite its age, the dam has not received a condition assessment rating, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard its functionality and mitigate potential risks.
As a popular site for outdoor activities and water-based recreation, Philmont Reservoir Dam plays a vital role in the local community's quality of life and environmental sustainability. With its uncontrolled spillway and emergency action plan in place, the dam is poised to continue serving as a valuable resource for water storage, flood control, and leisure pursuits for years to come.
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 Philmont Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kinderhook Creek At Rossman Ny | 175 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 17 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 187 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 362 cfs | → |
| Valatie Kill Near Nassau Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Falls Village | 478 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Philmont Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Athens Boat Launch
- South River Street Coxsackie
- Kinderhook Lake
- Green Lake
- Anchorage Road Germantown
- Cheviot Road Germantown
Campgrounds
- Fox Hollow Camping
- Copake Falls - Taconic State Park
- Lake Taghkanic State Park
- Race Brook Campsites
- At Thruhiker Camping
- Laurel Ridge Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- 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
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Philmont Reservoir 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 Philmont Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Philmont Reservoir 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 Significant 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 Philmont Reservoir Dam.