Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam dam
Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam
Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam, located in Schenectady, New York, was completed in 1987 and serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the Poentic Kill river. This private-owned dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans an impressive length of 3300 feet, with a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk rating, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 1030 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 2740 cubic feet per second, showcasing its robust engineering to manage heavy water flow during times of increased precipitation. With a normal storage capacity of 48 acre-feet and a surface area of 14 acres, Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam plays a vital role in managing water levels and reducing flood risks for the community of Schenectady. The dam is under the regulatory oversight of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring that it meets state standards for inspection, permitting, and enforcement.
Overall, Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction infrastructure in New York, demonstrating the importance of proactive management and maintenance to safeguard against potential hazards. With its strategic location and functional design, this dam serves as a critical buffer against flooding events along the Poentic Kill river, providing a valuable resource for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and natural disaster mitigation.
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 Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schoharie Creek At Burtonsville Ny | 676 cfs | → |
| Mohawk River At Cohoes Ny | 4,520 cfs | → |
| Normans Kill At Albany Ny | 104 cfs | → |
| Glowegee Creek At West Milton Ny | 37 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Green Island Ny | 13,600 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 Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam.
Boat launches
- Alco Heritage Trail Schenectady
- Lock 7 Boat Launch
- Erie Canal Towpath Town Of Clifton Park
- Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Niskayuna
- Forts Ferry Road 246, Town Of Colonie
- Mohawk River
Campgrounds
- Thompsons Lake State Park
- Thompsons Lake Campground
- Northampton Beach - Dec
- Max V Shaul State Park
- Rustic Barn Campground
Track Rotterdam Square Impoundment 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 Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam
Where does the data for Rotterdam Square Impoundment 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 Rotterdam Square Impoundment Dam.