Dickinson Dam dam
Dickinson Dam
Located in Franklin, New York, Dickinson Dam is a private-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Situated on the Dear River, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 200 feet. With a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet, it covers a surface area of 17 acres and drains an area of 5.6 square miles. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 30 feet and is classified as having a low hazard potential.
Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, Dickinson Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. While the dam is state-regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, it has not undergone recent inspections or been assigned an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status. However, it is reassuring that the structure poses a low hazard potential and has a moderate risk management measure in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dickinson Dam offers an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. With its recreational focus and unique design features, this dam presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of human activity with environmental stewardship. As stakeholders continue to monitor and maintain this structure, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Dickinson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| W Br St. Regis R Nr Parishville Ny | 326 cfs | → |
| Little Salmon River At Bombay Ny | 83 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River At Brasher Center Ny | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 954 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Raymondville Ny | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Grass River At Chase Mills Ny | 901 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dickinson Dam.
Boat launches
- Santa Clara Flow
- St Regis River
- Drum Street Road 1098, Fort Covington
- Colton
- Water Street West Cornwall
- Ny 131 Saint Lawrence County
Track Dickinson 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 Dickinson Dam
Where does the data for Dickinson 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 Dickinson Dam.