Center Falls

Battenkill River· Washington, New York· Built 1909· Concrete· 28 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Center Falls is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 75.9% in NY)
Dam Length420 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage400 acre-ft
Normal Storage400 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area405 sq mi
Max Discharge16,166 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDNY01071

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 20, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

Hollingsworth & Vose Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Center Falls?

Center Falls is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Center Falls?

Center Falls is owned by Hollingsworth & Vose Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Center Falls built?

Center Falls was completed in 1909, making it 117 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Center Falls?

Center Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Center Falls?

Center Falls has a dam height of 28 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Center Falls last inspected?

Center Falls was last inspected on July 20, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.