Center Falls dam
Center Falls
Center Falls, also known as Greenwich Mill Dam, is a privately owned hydroelectric structure located in Greenwich, New York. Built in 1909, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 420 feet across the Battenkill River. With a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 16,166 cubic feet per second, the dam serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Center Falls is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, and its emergency action plan was last revised in 2011. The dam's spillway, with a width of 226 feet, is uncontrolled, and the structure is primarily made of multi-arch concrete with a rock foundation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Center Falls offers a glimpse into the historical development of hydroelectric infrastructure in the region and the challenges of managing aging dams for multiple purposes. The dam's location on the Battenkill River and its role in flood risk reduction highlight the importance of effective dam maintenance and regulatory oversight to ensure both safety and environmental sustainability. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Center Falls will play a crucial role in adapting to changing conditions and meeting the region's energy and water supply needs.
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 Center Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Batten Kill Below Mill At Battenville Ny | 937 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Eagle Bridge Ny | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Fort Edward Ny | 6,580 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 202 cfs | → |
| Hudson R Above Lock 1 Nr Waterford Ny | 9,390 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Lock 1 Near Waterford Ny | 8,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Center Falls .
Boat launches
- Schuyler Island Way Schuylerville
- Cossayuna Lake
- West River Road Moreau
- Saratoga Lake State Boat Launch
- Batten Kill Road Arlington
- Lake Shore Road Moreau
Campgrounds
- Lake Lauderdale Campground
- Moreau Lake State Park
- Camping On The Battenkill
- Rustic Barn Campground
- Corinth
- Lake Hadlock Inn, Beach And Campground
Fishing spots
Track Center 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 Center Falls
Where does the data for Center 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 Center Falls .