Hoosac School Dam dam
Hoosac School Dam
Hoosac School Dam, located in Hoosick Falls, New York, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1950, it stands at a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 280 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet. The dam sits on Pine Valley Brook and is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Despite its recreational focus, the dam poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed as unsatisfactory in condition. The last inspection in December 2018 raised concerns, prompting a moderate risk assessment rating. While the dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 7 feet, its overall risk management measures and emergency preparedness status are unclear.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find the Hoosac School Dam an intriguing subject for further study, given its location, historical significance, and current risk assessment. The need for improved condition assessment, risk management, and emergency preparedness measures could make it a compelling case study in dam safety and environmental management practices.
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 Hoosac School Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hoosic River Near Eagle Bridge Ny | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 202 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 88 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 234 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 9,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hoosac School Dam.
Boat launches
- State Fishing Access North Bennington
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
- Lock One Road Town Of Halfmoon
- Hudson River Road 951, City Of Mechanicville
Campgrounds
- Sherman Brook Campsite
- Woodford State Park
- Clarksburg State Park
- Cherry Plain State Park
- Stoney Ledge Group Site
- Cherry Plain State Park Campgrounds
Track Hoosac School 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 Hoosac School Dam
Where does the data for Hoosac School 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 Hoosac School Dam.