Lake Casse Dam dam
Lake Casse Dam
Lake Casse Dam, located in Putnam, New York, is a locally owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Built in 1953, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 690 feet, impounding a maximum storage capacity of 182 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, the dam serves as a vital component of the Croton Falls Reservoir system, contributing to the overall water resource management in the region.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Lake Casse Dam remains under the regulatory oversight of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 20 feet wide, can accommodate a maximum discharge of 240 cubic feet per second. While the last inspection in April 2019 identified several issues, the dam's emergency action plan is yet to be prepared, raising concerns about its ability to effectively mitigate risks and respond to emergencies in a timely manner.
Given its moderate risk rating and the need for improved maintenance and emergency preparedness measures, Lake Casse Dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with managing aging infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental conditions. As efforts continue to enhance the dam's resilience and safety, stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed and engaged in supporting sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Lake Casse Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Croton River Near Carmel Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 26 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River At Baldwin Place Ny | 4 cfs | → |
| W Br Croton River Below Dam Near Kent Cliffs Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| Titicus River At Purdys Station Ny | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Casse Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Kenosia
- Bear Mountain Bridge Road Cortlandt
- Hudson Avenue Peekskill
- Danbury Boat Launch
- Broadway Buchanan
- Squantz Pond
Campgrounds
- Clarence Fahnestock State Park
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Round Pond Military
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
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
Track Lake Casse 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 Lake Casse Dam
Where does the data for Lake Casse 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 Lake Casse Dam.