Rainbow Falls dam
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls, located in Ausable Chasm, New York, is a significant hydroelectric dam constructed in 1926 with a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power. This concrete gravity dam, standing at a height of 19 feet and spanning a length of 435 feet, has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and serves the Ausable River watershed. The dam's spillway, with a width of 245 feet, is uncontrolled and has a maximum discharge capacity of 15,000 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial structure for managing water flow and energy production in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Rainbow Falls is classified as having a significant hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating. While the dam's condition assessment is not available, it undergoes regular inspections with an inspection frequency of 1 year. Despite being a federal facility, it is not under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. In the event of an emergency, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is prepared and last reviewed in December 2020 to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding community.
With its historical significance and vital role in energy production, Rainbow Falls is a key feature of the Ausable River watershed. Water and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering marvel of this dam, along with its impact on the local ecosystem and water resource management. As a public utility structure, Rainbow Falls plays a crucial role in providing clean and sustainable energy while contributing to the overall resilience of the region's water infrastructure.
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 Rainbow Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Ausable River Near Valcour Ny | 48 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At South Plattsburgh Ny | 55 cfs | → |
| Ausable River Near Au Sable Forks Ny | 653 cfs | → |
| Saranac River At Plattsburgh Ny | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 222 cfs | → |
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 301 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Falls .
Boat launches
- Port Douglas Boat Launch
- Peru Boat Launch
- Burlington Waterfront Boat Ramp
- Green Street Plattsburgh
- Sunrise Drive South Hero
- Green Street 32, Plattsburgh
Campgrounds
- Ausable Point - Dec
- Primitive Campsite 15
- Primitive Campsite 16
- Primitive Campsite 20
- Primitive Campsite 19
- Primitive Campsite 14
Track Rainbow 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 Rainbow Falls
Where does the data for Rainbow 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 Significant 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 Rainbow Falls .