The present day hydroelectric power plant located at this site is owned and operated by the New York
Power Authority. It was constructed in 1908 when the Mohawk River was dammed, the Waterford Flight
of Locks was constructed, and the Erie Canal was moved to the dredged river channel. The Power Authority
acquired the Crescent Dam from the state Department of Transportation in 1984 and installed two new
turbine-generators in the powerhouse in 1990.
The Crescent Dam is a concrete gravity
structure tied into bedrock forming a
semicircle across the river. The dam is
referred to as Dam #2 and takes its name
from the hamlet of Crescent in Saratoga
County. Between the dam and power
house is a low-level, gated regulating
structure. Adjustment of this gate and
the flash boards above the dam regulates
the pool level for navigation between
here and the Vischer Ferry Dam located
another nine miles upstream.
The hydroelectric powerhouse, which
consists of four turbine-generators with
a generating capacity of 12 megawatts
is located here at the western abutment
of the dam. The New York State Canal
Corporation operates two guard gates
between the Crescent Dam and Erie
Canal Lock 6 to the east.
On the far side of the dam one can
original powerhouse that was
constructed with the dam in 1912.
see an
Compared



to the present plant it had
a modest capacity of 3,000 Kw. The
turbine is pictured to the right
wagon as delivered for installation.

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Old Military Crossing
Old Military Crossing
Gen. Henry Knox Trail
Fonda Cemetery
Loudoun Ferry Road
Crescent Aqueduct
Crescent
Crescent / Mohawk Towpath Byway / Halfmoon
Crescent
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