Darien Lake State Park Dam dam
Darien Lake State Park Dam
Darien Lake State Park Dam, also known as Harlow Lake, is a significant earth dam located in Genesee County, New York. Completed in 1958, this dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 900 feet, providing a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet for the Eleven Mile Creek. The primary purpose of this dam is for recreation, offering visitors a picturesque setting for outdoor activities in the Alden area.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, this dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a hazard potential rated as significant and a high risk assessment, safety measures are in place to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam. While the dam does not have a spillway, it is equipped with outlet gates and has a maximum discharge capacity of 75 cubic feet per second.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the ecological significance of Darien Lake State Park Dam, as it plays a vital role in managing water levels and supporting the surrounding ecosystem. Its location within a state park provides a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while also appreciating the engineering feat of the dam itself. With a rich history dating back to its completion in the 1950s, this dam continues to serve as a valuable resource for both recreational and environmental purposes in Western 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 Darien Lake State Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda Creek At Attica Ny | 369 cfs | → |
| Cayuga Creek Nr Lancaster Ny | 622 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Batavia Ny | 421 cfs | → |
| Tonawanda Creek At Rapids Ny | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Gardenville Ny | 825 cfs | → |
| Ellicott Creek Below Williamsville Ny | 790 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Darien Lake State Park Dam.
Track Darien Lake State Park 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 Darien Lake State Park Dam
Where does the data for Darien Lake State Park 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 Darien Lake State Park Dam.