Friends Lake Dam dam
Friends Lake Dam
Friends Lake Dam in Chestertown, New York, is a privately-owned structure primarily designed for recreation purposes. Completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and spans a length of 300 feet, with a storage capacity of 6,300 acre-feet. Located on TR-Chester Creek in Warren County, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Friends Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 6 feet and covers a surface area of 450 acres. Although its condition assessment is not rated, the dam's risk management measures are in place to address any potential concerns and emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Friends Lake Dam serves as a vital structure in the region, providing recreational opportunities while also safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding risks. With its moderate risk assessment and low hazard potential, the dam continues to play a crucial role in maintaining water levels and ensuring the safety of the community and environment in Chestertown, New York.
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 Friends Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At North Creek Ny | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Hadley Ny | 3,140 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River At Stewarts Bridge Nr Hadley Ny | 419 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Indian Lake Ny | 433 cfs | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 311 cfs | → |
| Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny | 360 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Friends Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Brant Lake
- Schroon Lake
- Us 9 Town Of Chester
- Lake George
- Rock Pond Trail Essex County
- South Bay State Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Eagle Point - Dec
- Camp Walden & Woodstock Fruit Festival
- Scaroon Manor - Camp Cayuga
- Thousand Acres Ranch Resort
- Hearthstone Point - Dec
- 13th Lake Campsite #2
Fishing spots
Track Friends 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 Friends Lake Dam
Where does the data for Friends 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 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 Friends Lake Dam.