Lake Placid Dam dam
Lake Placid Dam
Lake Placid Dam, located in Lake Placid, New York, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1904, this concrete dam stands at 7 feet high and spans 131 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 112,996 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,173 acres, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the area, supporting both recreational activities and water supply needs.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Placid Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam, situated on Outlet Brook, features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 100 feet and a low hazard potential rating. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, its risk assessment is moderate, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks associated with its operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Placid Dam represents a significant infrastructure supporting both recreational and water supply purposes in Essex County, New York. With its historical significance dating back over a century, the dam continues to play a vital role in managing water resources and maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area. As a focal point for outdoor activities and a key component of the local landscape, Lake Placid Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Lake Placid 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 Lake Placid Dam.
Boat launches
- Moose Pond
- Franklin Falls Flow
- Saranac Lake (Lower)
- Saranac Lake (Middle)
- Little Clear Pond
- Follensby Clear Pond
Campgrounds
- Meadowbrook - Dec
- Wilmington Notch - Dec
- Wanika Falls Campsite
- Wilderness Campground At Heart Lake
- Sno-Bird
- Gulf Brook Campsite #1
Track Lake Placid 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 Lake Placid Dam
Where does the data for Lake Placid 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 Lake Placid Dam.