Ballard Mill dam
Ballard Mill
Ballard Mill, located in Malone, New York, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam on the Salmon River. Built in 1901, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a length of 303 feet. With a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a drainage area of 159 square miles, Ballard Mill plays a significant role in generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Managed by Bellows - Towers Hydro, Inc., Ballard Mill has three slide gates as outlet gates and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 110 feet. The dam poses a significant hazard potential and is inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. While the condition assessment of the dam is not available, an emergency action plan was last revised in November 2020. With a moderate risk assessment rating, Ballard Mill serves as a crucial infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable energy generation.
As one of the key structures in New York District's water resource management, Ballard Mill contributes to the overall energy production in the state. With its historical significance and modern operational standards, this hydroelectric dam is a focal point for those passionate about the intersection of water resources and climate resilience. Stay updated on Ballard Mill's inspection reports and emergency action plans to witness how this essential infrastructure adapts to changing environmental conditions and regulatory requirements.
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 Ballard Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Salmon River At Bombay Ny | 83 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River At Brasher Center Ny | 1,050 cfs | → |
| W Br St. Regis R Nr Parishville Ny | 326 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At Raymondville Ny | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Raquette River At South Colton Ny | 954 cfs | → |
| Grass River At Chase Mills Ny | 901 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ballard Mill .
Track Ballard Mill 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 Ballard Mill
Where does the data for Ballard Mill 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 Ballard Mill .