Glens Falls dam
Glens Falls
Glens Falls, located in Warren County, New York, is a private hydroelectric dam on the majestic Hudson River. Built in 1916 by Acres International, Ltd., this concrete gravity dam stands at 16 feet in height and stretches 510 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 1,253 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 2,807 square miles, Glens Falls has a maximum discharge of 70,000 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 400 feet. Despite its age, this dam is well-maintained and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The primary purpose of Glens Falls is hydroelectric power generation, making it a crucial source of renewable energy in the region. With a surface area of 167 acres and a normal storage capacity of 1,083 acre-feet, this dam plays a key role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. Although its hazard potential is deemed significant, Glens Falls has a very high risk assessment rating, indicating the importance of effective risk management measures in place.
In the care of private ownership, Glens Falls showcases the intersection of sustainable energy production and environmental stewardship. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, the operation and maintenance of this historic dam serve as a testament to the ongoing commitment to balancing energy needs with environmental conservation in the face of a changing climate.
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 Glens Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson River At Fort Edward Ny | 2,880 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Hadley Ny | 3,140 cfs | → |
| Sacandaga River At Stewarts Bridge Nr Hadley Ny | 419 cfs | → |
| Batten Kill Below Mill At Battenville Ny | 640 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 244 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glens Falls .
Boat launches
- Beach Road South Glens Falls
- Adirondack Northway Queensbury
- West River Road Moreau
- Spier Falls Road Moreau
- Lake Shore Road Moreau
- Lake George
Campgrounds
- Moreau Lake State Park
- King Phillips Campground
- Lake Hadlock Inn, Beach And Campground
- Lake George Battleground - Dec
- Corinth
- Luzerne - Dec
Fishing spots
Track Glens 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 Glens Falls
Where does the data for Glens 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 Glens Falls .