Franklin Falls dam
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls, a private hydroelectric dam located in Franklin, New York, on the Saranac River, was completed in 1906 and stands at a height of 45 feet with a length of 310 feet. With a storage capacity of 5580 acre-feet and a drainage area of 291 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in generating electricity while also providing recreational opportunities in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Franklin Falls has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 142 feet and a vertical lift outlet gate. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone recent condition assessments, but emergency action plans have been prepared and last revised in December 2020, ensuring proper management and response in case of an emergency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Franklin Falls serves as a fascinating example of early 20th-century hydroelectric infrastructure, showcasing the balance between energy production and environmental conservation. With its historical significance and ongoing operational relevance, Franklin Falls remains a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of water resources, climate, and sustainable energy practices.
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 Franklin Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 301 cfs | → |
| Ausable River Near Au Sable Forks Ny | 653 cfs | → |
| Little Ausable River Near Valcour Ny | 48 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At South Plattsburgh Ny | 55 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 222 cfs | → |
| Saranac River At Plattsburgh Ny | 1,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Franklin Falls .
Boat launches
- Franklin Falls Flow
- Moose Pond
- Saranac Lake (Lower)
- Little Clear Pond
- Follensby Clear Pond
- Saranac Lake (Middle)
Campgrounds
- Wilmington Notch - Dec
- Taylor Pond - Dec
- Buck Pond - Dec
- Meadowbrook - Dec
- Wanika Falls Campsite
- Wilderness Campground At Heart Lake
Paddle runs
Track Franklin 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 Franklin Falls
Where does the data for Franklin 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 Low 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 Franklin Falls .