Colgate Lake Dam dam
Colgate Lake Dam
Colgate Lake Dam, located in Jewett, New York, is a state-owned structure built in 2007 primarily for recreational purposes. This earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 400 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 335 acre-feet. Situated on the East Kill river, the dam has a spillway width of 55 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 4250 cubic feet per second, making it a significant structure in the region.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Colgate Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring its continued safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are vital components in maintaining public safety and preserving the surrounding environment. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the complexity and importance of this dam in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks in Greene County, New York.
Overall, Colgate Lake Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for water management and recreational activities in the region, highlighting the intersection of human intervention with natural resources. Its construction and maintenance reflect the ongoing efforts to balance the needs of water users with environmental protection, demonstrating the significance of sustainable practices in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Colgate Lake Dam stands as a testament to the careful planning and management required to ensure the safety and well-being of communities in the area.
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 Colgate Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Kill Below Hunter Brook Near Spruceton Ny | 7 cfs | → |
| East Kill Nr Jewett Center Ny | 14 cfs | → |
| Schoharie Creek Near Lexington Ny | 68 cfs | → |
| West Kill Near West Kill Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| Batavia Kill At Red Falls Near Prattsville Ny | 34 cfs | → |
| Woodland Creek Above Mouth At Phoenicia Ny | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Colgate Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Green Lake
- Anchorage Road Germantown
- Cheviot Road Germantown
- Riverside Drive Town Of Saugerties
- South Partition Street 69, Saugerties
- Tina Chorvas Water Front Park
Campgrounds
- North/South Lake - Dec
- Devils Tombstone - Dec
- Rip Van Winkle Camping
- Koa Camping
- Kenneth L. Wilson - Dec
- Woodland Valley - Dec
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
Track Colgate 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 Colgate Lake Dam
Where does the data for Colgate 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 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 Colgate Lake Dam.