Rainbow Lake Dam

NORTH BRANCH SARANAC RIVER· Franklin, New York· Built 1875· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rainbow Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New York. It was completed in 1875 and is 151 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 9% in NY)
Dam Length110 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area356 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Year Completed1875 (151 years old)
NID IDNY01112

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 1, 1980
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NYS DEC

Ownership

RAINBOW LAKE WATER PROTECTION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rainbow Lake Dam?

Rainbow Lake Dam 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 Rainbow Lake Dam?

Rainbow Lake Dam is owned by RAINBOW LAKE WATER PROTECTION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rainbow Lake Dam built?

Rainbow Lake Dam was completed in 1875, making it 151 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 Rainbow Lake Dam?

Rainbow Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rainbow Lake Dam?

Rainbow Lake Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Rainbow Lake Dam last inspected?

Rainbow Lake Dam was last inspected on May 1, 1980. 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.