Middle Falls

Battenkill River· Washington, New York· Built 1915· Concrete· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Middle Falls is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 23.2% in NY)
Dam Length210 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Normal Storage240 acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area436 sq mi
Max Discharge1,750 cfs
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDNY00121

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: May 19, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

Middle Falls Limited Partnership

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Middle Falls?

Middle 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 Middle Falls?

Middle Falls is owned by Middle Falls Limited Partnership (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Middle Falls built?

Middle Falls was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Middle Falls?

Middle 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 Middle Falls?

Middle 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 Middle Falls last inspected?

Middle Falls was last inspected on May 19, 2016. 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.