Spier Falls

Hudson River· Warren, New York· Built 1903· Masonry· 146 ft tall

High Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Spier Falls is classified as high hazard in New York. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	146 ft (taller than 99.4% in NY)
Dam Length	1,400 ft
Dam Type	Masonry
Max Storage	31.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage	31.0K acre-ft

Surface Area	638 acres
Drainage Area	2,779 sq mi
Max Discharge	100,000 cfs
Year Completed	1903 (123 years old)
NID ID	NY00136

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

What is the hazard classification of Spier Falls?

Spier Falls is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Spier Falls?

Spier Falls is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Spier Falls built?

Spier Falls was completed in 1903, making it 123 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 Spier Falls?

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

How tall is Spier Falls?

Spier Falls has a dam height of 146 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 Spier Falls last inspected?

Spier Falls was last inspected on August 31, 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.