Cohoes in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Water for Power
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025
1. Water for Power Marker
The power of falling water built Cohoes, where mills and factories on power canals used waterpower to manufacture textiles and metal goods. Today the energy of Cohoes Falls is carried through wires to homes and businesses throughout eastern New York.
The School Street powerhouse contains five turbine-generator units with a combined capacity of 38,800 kilowatts and an average annual generation of 190,000 Megawatt-hours-enough to power 26,000 homes. The 1915 hydroelectric project uses the dam, upper gatehouse, and power canal of the Cohoes Company's 1800s system. Lower canals were abandoned and filled after the hydro plant came on-line.
[ Drawing Caption: ] A 4,500-foot-long power canal carries water from the pond in the Mohawk River backed-up by the Cohoes Company Dam to the Lower Gatehouse. There it is directed into five penstocks-large steel pipes that run down the face of the gorge to the' powerhouse. Water from each penstock spins a turbine and generator before rejoining the river below the falls.
Erected by National Park Service, Brookfield.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 42° 47.061′
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Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cohoes Mastodon (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Park Named Craner * Cohoes Recalls a Hero (about 600 feet away); Col. Robert R. Craner (about 600 feet away); Misty 17 (about 600 feet away); Cpl. Jeannette E. Blair (Brooks) (about 600 feet away); Honor Roll (about 600 feet away); Fourth Ward, First District (about 600 feet away); Canvass White - Canal Innovator (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cohoes.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025
2. Water for Power Marker
Cohoes Falls and the powerhouses can be seen in the background.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025
3. View of Cohoes Falls From Near the Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
