Rihm & Kittel Dam dam
Rihm & Kittel Dam
The Rihm & Kittel Dam, located in Dykemans, New York, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 300 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-East Branch Croton River, the dam serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.16 square miles.
Managed by the NYS DEC and regulated by the state of New York, the Rihm & Kittel Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not having a formal condition assessment, the dam's risk management measures are in place to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 28 feet, and a maximum discharge capacity of 182 cubic feet per second, further highlighting its importance in managing water flow and preventing flooding in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the essential role that the Rihm & Kittel Dam plays in providing recreational opportunities while also safeguarding the local ecosystem from potential risks. Its strategic location in Putnam County, New York, coupled with its low hazard potential and controlled risk assessment, underscores the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital water infrastructure. As a significant asset in the region's water management system, the dam's history and operational details offer valuable insights into the intersection of human-made structures and environmental conservation efforts.
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 Rihm & Kittel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Croton River Near Putnam Lake Ny | 27 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River At Brewster Ny | 45 cfs | → |
| Horse Pound Brook Near Lake Carmel Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| West Branch Croton River Near Carmel Ny | 10 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| W Br Croton River Below Dam Near Kent Cliffs Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rihm & Kittel Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Kenosia
- Squantz Pond
- Old Bogus Road 4, New Fairfield
- Danbury Boat Launch
- Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove)
- Grove Street 251, New Milford
Campgrounds
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Clarence Fahnestock State Park
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Youth Camp I
- Youth Camp Ii
- Youth Camp Iii
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 Rihm & Kittel 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 Rihm & Kittel Dam
Where does the data for Rihm & Kittel 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 Rihm & Kittel Dam.