Rushmore Estates Dam dam
Rushmore Estates Dam
Rushmore Estates Dam, located in New Paltz, New York, is a privately owned structure designed for flood risk reduction along the TRIB-WOODBURY CREEK. The dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a storage capacity of 62.3 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 17.1 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the NYS DEC and undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
This earth dam, completed in an unspecified year, plays a crucial role in managing flood risk in the area by storing excess water and reducing the potential for downstream flooding. With a drainage area of 530 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 911 cubic feet per second, Rushmore Estates Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for protecting the surrounding community from the impacts of extreme weather events. The dam's risk assessment is rated as high (2), emphasizing the importance of effective risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
Although the condition assessment of Rushmore Estates Dam is currently listed as "Not Rated," it is imperative that the dam's owners and regulators prioritize regular inspections and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity and ensure its continued functionality. As climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the role of dams like Rushmore Estates becomes increasingly critical in safeguarding communities and infrastructure from the impacts of flooding. It is essential that all stakeholders remain vigilant in their stewardship of this important flood risk reduction asset to protect the community and the environment for generations to come.
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 Rushmore Estates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mahwah River Near Suffern Ny | 7 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Ramapo Ny | 60 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 272 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Suffern Ny | 40 cfs | → |
| Wanaque River At Awosting Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque Nj | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rushmore Estates Dam.
Boat launches
- Bear Mountain Bridge Road Cortlandt
- Hudson Avenue Peekskill
- Broadway Buchanan
- Battlefield Road Town Of Stony Point
- Laurel Meadow Drive Town Of Warwick
- Old East Main Street Town Of Wallkill
Campgrounds
- Round Pond Military
- Beaver Pond Campsite
- Beaver Pond - Harriman State Park
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Winding Hills Park
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
Track Rushmore Estates 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 Rushmore Estates Dam
Where does the data for Rushmore Estates 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 Rushmore Estates Dam.