\usemodule[art-01]

\starttext

\definefloat
  [figure-column]

\setupfloat
  [figure-column]
  [default={left,nonumber,none,high}, % high kills sidespacebefore
   topoffset=\strutgap]

\setupfloat
  [sidespacebefore=,
   sidespaceafter=]

\enabletrackers[*float*]

\starttext

\input ward

\placefloat
  [figure-column][][]{}
  {\externalfigure[t:/sources/cow.pdf][width=3cm,frame=on]}

\input ward

\placefloat
  [figure-column][][]{}
  {\externalfigure[t:/sources/cow.pdf][width=3cm,frame=on]}

\input ward

\placefloat
  [figure-column][][]{}
  {\externalfigure[t:/sources/cow.pdf][width=3cm,frame=on]}

\flushsidefloats

\input ward

\page

\setupfloat
  [spacebeforeside=3*big,
   spaceafterside=5*big]

\input ward

\placefloat
  [figure-column][][]{}
  {\externalfigure[t:/sources/cow.pdf][width=3cm,frame=on]}

\flushsidefloats

\input ward

\stoptext