Spier Falls dam
Spier Falls
Spier Falls, located in Hudson Falls, New York, is a gravity and masonry dam completed in 1903 for hydroelectric purposes. With a height of 146 feet and a length of 1400 feet, this structure provides a storage capacity of 31,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 638 acres. The dam's spillway, controlled with a width of 818 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 100,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Spier Falls plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the Hudson River for electricity generation while also offering recreational opportunities. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is rated as very high risk (1) but its condition assessment is currently not available. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in January 2021, ensuring that necessary measures are in place for any potential risk scenarios.
With its historical significance and impactful role in water resource management and climate initiatives, Spier Falls remains a vital asset in the region. Its engineering marvel and operational efficiency continue to serve as a testament to sustainable energy production and environmental conservation efforts along the Hudson River.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Spier Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At Hadley Ny | 3,140 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River At Stewarts Bridge Nr Hadley Ny | 419 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Fort Edward Ny | 2,880 cfs | → |
| Glowegee Creek At West Milton Ny | 75 cfs | → |
| Batten Kill Below Mill At Battenville Ny | 640 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River Near Hope Ny | 1,330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spier Falls .
Boat launches
- Spier Falls Road Town Of Corinth
- Spier Falls Road Moreau
- Lake Shore Road Moreau
- County Route 9 Corinth
- Adirondack Northway Queensbury
- Boat Launch Drive Town Of Lake Luzerne
Campgrounds
- Moreau Lake State Park
- Corinth
- Rustic Barn Campground
- Luzerne - Dec
- King Phillips Campground
- Lake George Battleground - Dec
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Ny/Vt State Line To Arlington, Vt
- Branch Pond To Proclamation Boundary
- Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary To Confluence Of Batten Kill
- Arlington, Vt To Manchester, Vt
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Batten Kill
- Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Spier Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Spier Falls
Where does the data for Spier Falls come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Spier Falls .