At Little Falls the Mohawk squeezes through a narrow gap and drops 45 feet in less than a mile, the same rapids that once blocked travel upriver. Today the Erie Canal gets past them through Lock 17, which is 40.5 feet tall. The city grew up on both banks of that drop, with the cliff called Rollaway rising on the south side, and much of it is built from 19th-century houses and storefronts.
That setting gives the city a long flood record and plenty of old buildings that hold water once it gets in. The Restoration Job is a free connection service: call (888) 317-9980, day or night, and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves Little Falls and the Herkimer County end of the Mohawk Valley.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Little Falls. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Record Crests on the Mohawk at Little Falls
The Little Falls river gauge has been rewriting its own history for more than a century. The National Weather Service lists a record Mohawk flood here during the March 1913 storm. In March 1977 an early warm spell melted a heavy snowpack, 3 inches of rain fell on top of it, and the river set another record. Then on October 31 and November 1, 2019, a storm that dropped around 5 inches in parts of Herkimer County pushed the Mohawk at Little Falls to record flooding again, while West Canada Creek also hit records and swift-water rescues were under way in Dolgeville.
The pattern matters: some of the worst floods here came from melting snow plus rain in late winter, and others from autumn storms. Riverfront owners shouldn't assume that spring is the only season to watch.
Flash Flooding on Hillside Streets
Not every flood here comes from the river. On June 28, 2013, rain fell across the Mohawk Valley at close to an inch an hour, and NY 5S was closed southeast of the city because of flash flooding. A few weeks later, storms repeatedly crossed the same saturated ground in southern Herkimer County. On streets that slope down toward the river, runoff from a cloudburst moves quickly, filling basements through foundation cracks, cellar doors and floor drains long before the Mohawk itself rises.
Water that arrives this way often carries mud and street debris, and sometimes sewer overflow. Removing it properly and drying the structure is the core of storm damage cleanup, which also covers roof and window damage from the same storms.
Stone Foundations and 19th-Century Buildings
The Little Falls Historic District alone counts 347 contributing buildings from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, in Federal, Greek Revival, Second Empire, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles, plus a block of Italianate commercial buildings. The South Ann Street and Mill Street area is listed as a separate historic district. In buildings this age, water damage tends to follow some familiar paths:
- Rubble-stone or brick foundations that let groundwater in and stay damp for weeks.
- Plaster on wood lath that sags or detaches when soaked from above.
- Storefront buildings with apartments upstairs, where one leak affects several tenants.
- Original wood floors that cup and buckle if they aren't dried evenly.
Careful structural drying can save a good deal of original material if it starts quickly.
Getting Ready Before the River Comes Up
When the weather service issues a flood watch for the Mohawk, move valuables and documents out of the basement, clear the area around the furnace and water heater if you can, and check that the sump pump starts. Know how to shut off gas and electricity. After the water drops, photograph everything before cleanup, call your insurer, and keep wet materials until the adjuster has seen them or approved disposal. Herkimer County's emergency services department posts its hazard mitigation plan and preparedness information online, and FEMA's flood maps show whether your address sits in a mapped flood zone.
Mold After a Valley Flood
A flooded basement in a stone-walled building can stay humid for a long time, especially in the warm months. Mold may start on wood framing, paper-faced drywall and stored items within a day or two. Get wet carpet, cardboard and upholstered furniture out, ventilate, and run dehumidifiers continuously. If you can still smell mustiness after the space looks dry, or growth returns after cleaning, hidden moisture is the likely reason. That's the point to bring in mold remediation.
Little Falls Neighborhoods and Surrounding Towns
Calls come in from across Little Falls, including:
- Little Falls Historic District
- South Ann Street-Mill Street area
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Herkimer
- Mohawk
- Ilion
- Frankfort
- Dolgeville
- East Frankfort
Common Questions
Does Little Falls flood mostly in spring?
Spring snowmelt has produced some big floods, including the March 1977 record. But the October 31, 2019 storm set another record at the Little Falls gauge, and summer cloudbursts like the one on June 28, 2013 cause flash flooding away from the river. Watch for flood watches and warnings in every season, not just March and April.
Our building is in the historic district. Can damaged plaster be saved?
Often, yes, if drying starts quickly and the plaster is still firmly attached to the lath. Moisture readings show how far water spread, and controlled drying can save much of it. Plaster that has sagged or let go usually needs repair. Photograph original details before any removal, and check with the city about exterior work in a historic district.
Is floodwater from the Mohawk covered by homeowners insurance?
Generally not. Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flooding from rising surface water. Coverage comes from a separate flood insurance policy, and new policies usually have a waiting period before they take effect, so buying one after a flood watch is issued is too late for that event. Ask your agent about sewer backup coverage too.
What should I do first if my basement fills with river water?
Stay out of it until the power to that area is off; standing water and live wiring don't mix. Assume river water is contaminated, so wear boots and gloves. Photograph the water level and damage, call your insurer, and arrange for pumping and cleaning. Pumping a flooded basement too fast while the ground outside is saturated can damage foundation walls, so it should be done in stages.