Triphammer Falls

Triphammer Falls is a waterfall in Ithaca featuring two distinct drops that combine to create a flowing cascade into Fall Creek. The water drops approximately 40 feet over rocky ledges and can be viewed from different vantage points around the site.

During the early 1900s, a hydroelectric station at the falls generated power for the local area before modern energy sources became available. The industrial infrastructure remained in place for several decades until it was eventually abandoned.

Students from Cornell University gather at the falls throughout academic terms, making it a central meeting point for campus social activities.

The falls can be viewed from the Thurston Avenue Bridge or from walkways on the campus above the cascade. The water flow is most impressive after heavy rainfall, when the volume increases and creates a more dramatic display.

The base of the falls contains remains of an old industrial power station with original machinery still visible from the site. These abandoned structures reveal how the natural force of water was once harnessed to produce electricity for the region.