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dams

Before You Buy A Dam

It is important that the prospective dam owner gather as much information as possible about an existing dam before making a decision on acquiring it. The storage of large amounts of water is a hazardous activity. It exposes the owner to tort liability.  The owner’s best and only defense is that the owner has done all that could be expected in terms of operation, maintenance, routine inspection, and hazard mitigation including emergency action planning.

Inspection Program

A dam inspection is the examination of a dam to determine its condition and need for improved operation, maintenance, study and analyses, repairs, rehabilitation, or removal. Dam inspections are vital to identifying deficiencies at dams that may pose unacceptable dam safety risks and reducing the chance of an incident or failure. It is important that inspections be performed by those experienced and qualified in dam safety engineering.

Streamflow Protection

Protection of instream flow is a critical aspect of managing our waters in a sustainable manner. While the benefits of flow regulation – hydroelectric power, flood control, water for numerous purposes – are obvious, the impacts often are not. In Vermont, we have focused much attention on maintaining adequate minimum flows to protect aquatic habitat and stream ecology, but other aspects of flow protection are equally important.

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"

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