Little Falls State Dam - North is a gravity dam located in Herkimer County, New York, built in 1894. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 6 ft6 ft tall and 375 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Little Falls State Dam - North
The primary purpose of Little Falls State Dam - North is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by New York State Canal Corporation (state). It impounds the Mohawk River near Little Falls.
The dam stands 6 feet tall and stretches 375 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,348 square miles. Completed in 1894, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/14/2022.
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Location
| State | New York |
| County | Herkimer |
| Nearest City | Little Falls |
| River/Stream | Mohawk River |
| Coordinates | 43.03750, -74.86640 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Length | 375 ft |
| Year Completed | 1894 (132 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 200 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,348 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 29,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | New York State Canal Corporation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NY12517 |
| Federal ID | NY12517S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |