Ballard Mill
Ballard Mill is an earth dam located in Franklin County, New York, built in 1901. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Ballard Mill
The primary purpose of Ballard Mill is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is private-owned. It impounds the Salmon River near Malone.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 303 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 159 square miles. Completed in 1901, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/16/2025.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Malone |
| River/Stream | Salmon River |
| Coordinates | 44.84550, -74.28050 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 303 ft |
| Year Completed | 1901 (125 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 159 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,140 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/16/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY12812 |
| Federal ID | NY12812 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |