Port Leyden dam
Port Leyden
Port Leyden, also known as Port Leyden Lower Dam, is a privately owned hydroelectric facility located in Lewis, New York, along the Black River. Constructed in 1983 by International Engineering Co., this concrete dam stands at 31.5 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. It is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Port Leyden plays a crucial role in providing renewable energy while managing water resources effectively. The dam has a spillway width of 160 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 18,500 cubic feet per second, contributing to the overall water management system in the region. Regular inspections and enforcement by state and federal agencies ensure the safety and reliability of this essential infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts 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 Port Leyden -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Boonville Ny | 399 cfs | → |
| Independence River At Donnattsburg Ny | 84 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Croghan Ny | 564 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River Below Delta Dam Near Rome Ny | 226 cfs | → |
| East Branch Fish Creek At Taberg Ny | 499 cfs | → |
| West Canada Creek Near Wilmurt Ny | 292 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Port Leyden .
Boat launches
- Black River
- Delta Lake State Park Town Of Western
- Soft Maple Reservoir
- Stillwater Reservoir
- Twichell Lake
Campgrounds
- Whetstone Gulf State Park
- Pixley Falls State Park
- Nicks Lake - Dec
- Delta Lake State Park
- Limekiln Lake - Dec
Track Port Leyden 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 Port Leyden
Where does the data for Port Leyden 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 Port Leyden .