Mckenzie Pond Dam dam
Mckenzie Pond Dam
McKenzie Pond Dam, located in Saranac Lake, New York, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 7 feet and a length of 154 feet, serves the primary purpose of water supply. With a storage capacity of 480 acre-feet and a surface area of 240 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, constructed on McKenzie Brook, has a spillway width of 55 feet and is classified as having a low hazard potential. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the risk assessment indicates a moderate risk level. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in July 1992, highlighting the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of infrastructure like McKenzie Pond Dam in safeguarding water supply and mitigating risks associated with natural disasters.
As a key component of the local water supply system, McKenzie Pond Dam plays a significant role in water management in Essex County, New York. With its controlled spillway and storage capacity of 480 acre-feet, the dam helps regulate water flow in McKenzie Brook and provides vital water resources for the surrounding area. Despite its low hazard potential, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the dam's resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and potential risks. The dam's location in a moderate-risk area underscores the importance of proactive risk management measures to safeguard both the dam and the surrounding community against potential threats.
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 Mckenzie Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 208 cfs | → |
| Ausable River Near Au Sable Forks Ny | 516 cfs | → |
| Hudson River Near Newcomb Ny | 238 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Piercefield Ny | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 181 cfs | → |
| Little Ausable River Near Valcour Ny | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mckenzie Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Moose Pond
- Saranac Lake (Lower)
- Franklin Falls Flow
- Little Clear Pond
- Saranac Lake (Middle)
- Follensby Clear Pond
Track Mckenzie Pond 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 Mckenzie Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mckenzie Pond 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 Mckenzie Pond Dam.