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Dam Safety Program

water flowing over dam into river

Reducing Risks from Dams

"The mission of the Vermont Dam Safety Program is to reduce risks to life, property, and the environment from dam incidents and dam failure through effective communication, education, regulation, and dam ownership"

The Dam Safety Program (DSP) regulates non-power, non-federal dams and acts as the owner and operator at 14 State-owned dams. On the regulatory side, the DSP administers State Statute 10 V.S.A. Chapter 43: Dams, managing the Vermont Dam Inventory (VDI) database, a permit program for construction and alteration of dams, an inspection program, an annual registration program, and other related tasks.  The DSP also educates dam owners and the public about dam safety issues. On the ownership side, the DSP operates and maintains the three Winooski River Flood Control Dams (Waterbury, Wrightsville, East Barre) as well as eleven other dams throughout the State.


Program Highlights