Ballard Mill Dam is historically significant as part of Malone’s early industrial development along the Salmon River. Built to support the Ballard textile mill in the early 1900s, the dam provided water power and later hydroelectric generation that helped fuel local manufacturing and economic growth in Franklin County.

Today, the Malone campus of North Country Community College (NCCC) is housed in the former Ballard Mill, on the east side of town. The old dam for the mill is still in place. There is plenty of parking and the beautiful grounds of NCCC make for a great backdrop. The area around Ballard Mill Dam is best known for its excellent trout fishing opportunities. The Salmon River below the dam is regularly stocked and attracts anglers for brown trout and rainbow trout fishing, particularly during spring hatches and seasonal catch-and-release events. Its accessible riverbanks, scenic setting, and steady water flow make it one of Malone’s most popular local fishing spots.