Indian Falls

Indian River· Jefferson, New York· Built 1905· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Indian Falls is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 23.2% in NY)
Dam Length187 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage115 acre-ft
Normal Storage115 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area324 sq mi
Max Discharge6,500 cfs
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
NID IDNY00855

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: September 19, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

Kinetic Energy LLC

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Indian Falls?

Indian 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 Indian Falls?

Indian Falls is owned by Kinetic Energy LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Indian Falls built?

Indian Falls was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Indian Falls?

Indian Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Indian Falls?

Indian Falls has a dam height of 12 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 Indian Falls last inspected?

Indian Falls was last inspected on September 19, 2019. 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.