Earl Mitchelson Dam dam
Earl Mitchelson Dam
Earl Mitchelson Dam, located in Oswego, New York, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose categorized as "Other." Built in 1958, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and spans a length of 350 feet, with a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-RICE CREEK, the dam serves as a crucial component of water resource management in the area, regulating the flow of water and providing flood protection to the surrounding region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Earl Mitchelson Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The spillway, with a width of 86 feet, is designed as uncontrolled, allowing for the safe release of excess water during peak flow events. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is deemed to have adequate risk management measures in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Earl Mitchelson Dam's role in shaping the hydrology of the area and its contribution to flood control and water supply management. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its effective risk management strategies, highlights the importance of infrastructure in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
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 Earl Mitchelson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oswego River At Lock 7 | 17,600 cfs | → |
| Oneida River Near Euclid Ny | 6,420 cfs | → |
| Seneca River (Erie Canal) Near Port Byron Ny | 7,850 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Pineville Ny | 583 cfs | → |
| Ninemile Creek At Lakeland Ny | 103 cfs | → |
| Scriba Creek Near Constantia Ny | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Earl Mitchelson Dam.
Boat launches
- County Route 40 Town Of Mexico
- West Port Bay Road 7756, Wolcott Town
- State Street 129, Phoenix
- Cline Shores 8117, Wolcott
- Oneida River
- Lions Parkway Baldwinsville
Campgrounds
- Fair Haven Beach State Park
- Selkirk Shores State Park
- Bears Sleepy Hollow
- Oneida Shores County Park
- Southwick Beach State Park
Track Earl Mitchelson 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 Earl Mitchelson Dam
Where does the data for Earl Mitchelson 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 Low 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 Earl Mitchelson Dam.