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DEC-Owned Dams

The DSP is responsible for management and operation of 14 dams owned by the VT Department of Environmental Conservation. This includes the three Winooski River flood-control dams: Waterbury, Wrightsville, and East-Barre.

High Hazard:
Low Hazard:
(Winooski River Flood Control)
(Other)
 
Significant Hazard:
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Hazard:


East Barre Dam

Town: Barre Town, VT

Stream: Jail BranchEast Barre Aerial

Location: 44.155, -72.4443

Hazard Class: High Hazard

Background: The East Barre dam was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps under the supervision of the U.S. Army and was completed in the fall of 1935 for the purpose of flood control. Additional modifications to the East Barre Dam were performed between 1959 and 1960.

Current Purpose: Flood Control

Dam Type: Earth Embankment

Dam Height: 65 feet

Dam Length: 1,460 feet

Drainage Area: 39 square miles

Maximum Storage: 23,550 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Project: None at this time.


Waterbury Dam

Town: Waterbury, VTWaterbury Dam

Stream: Little RiverWaterbury Dam Aerial

Location: 44.3813, -72.7677

Hazard Class: High Hazard

Background: The construction of the Waterbury Dam was completed in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) under the supervision of the Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of the Winooski Flood Control Projects.

Current Purpose: Flood Control, Hydroelectric, Recreation

Dam Types: Earth Embankment

Dam Height: 187 feet.

Dam Length: 2,130 feet

Drainage Area: 109 square miles

Maximum Storage: 88,000 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Waterbury Dam Spillway Project (2022-2027) - Currently in Design/Field Exploration

Wrightsville Dam

Town: Middlesex, VTWrightsville Dam

Stream: North Branch Winooski RiverWrightsville Dam Aerial

Location: 44.3107, -72.5744

Hazard Class: High Hazard

Background: The Wrightsville dam was constructed as part of the Winooski Flood Control Projects in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) under the supervision of the Corps of Engineers (USACE). It was modified to its current configuration in the early 1980s including a hydropower station.

Current Purpose: Flood Control, Hydroelectric, Recreation

Dam Type: Earth embankment

Dam Height: 115 feet

Dam Length: 1,525 feet

Drainage Area: 68 square miles

Maximum Storage: 36,000 miles

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Project: Currently undergoing FERC relicensing. Washington Electric Company has filed for a renewal or new license for their hydroelectric facility at the dam.  


Silver Lake Dam

Town: Barnard, VTSilver Lake Dam

Stream: Pond BrookSilver Lake Dam Aerial

Location: 43.7288, -72.6186

Hazard Class: High Hazard

Background: The Silver Lake dam was constructed in 1968.  These walls are placed against and doweled to existing concrete and masonry walls constructed as early as 1806. This embankment also serves as the foundation for a town highway, the North Road, running along the crest of the dam.  The embankment was reconstructed in 1984.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth-fill dam with concrete core wall

Dam Height: 30 feet

Dam Length: 100 feet

Drainage Area: 1.7 square miles

Maximum Storage: 1,710 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plain: Yes

Project: Silver Lake Dam is currently part of the High Hazard Potential Dam assessment effort.


 

Signficant Hazard:


Crystal Lake Dam

Town: Barton, VTCrystal Lake Dam

Location: 44.747, -72.1763Crystal Lake Dam Aerial

Stream: Barton River

Hazard Class: Significant

Background: The Crystal Lake dam was constructed in the early 1800’s to provide mill power and was reconstructed in 1966. 

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Concrete and Stone Masonry

Dam Height: 17 feet

Dam Length: 65 feet

Drainage Area: 22.58 square miles

Maximum Storage: 6,740 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Project: The State has contracted with JP Sicard to complete a project to address leakage around the left side of the dam, replace the low-level outlet gate, and address other site improvements. The project is to be performed during the 2021 construction season. The work is funded through State Capital funds. The project will be performed with the use of a cofferdam that will allow lake levels to be maintained within normal ranges. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project, please contact Ben Green at Benjamin.green@vermont.gov or 802-622-4093.


Miles Pond Dam

Town: Concord, VTMiles Pond Dam

Stream: Miles Stream

Location: 44.4463, -71.7972Miles Pond Dam Aerial

Hazard Class: Significant Hazard

Background: The Miles Pond dam was constructed in 1969 by the Department of Water Resources and replaced an existing milldam, which had been at the site since at least 1900. The dam was reconstructed in 1993 to include a widened and stabilized emergency spillway. 

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth-fill dam with concrete core wall

Dam Height: 19 feet

Dam Length: 250 feet

Drainage Area: 6.54 square miles

Maximum Storage: 2,200 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: No (DSP working to develop one)

Project: The State is in the process of obtaining permits and bidding a project to replace the stoplogs at the dam, make concrete repairs, repair a sinkhole, install a boat barrier upstream of the dam, and address other site improvements.

As part of the Dam Safety Order Draft Decision, a public meeting is planned for (check with Steve). Please refer to the Environmental Notice Bulletin at (link) to review project plans, the draft decision, and provide comment.  

The target is to perform the project during the 2021 construction season. The work is funded through State Capital funds. The project will be performed with the use of a cofferdam that will allow lake levels to be maintained within normal ranges. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project, please contact Ben Green at Benjamin.green@vermont.gov or 802-622-4093.


Noyes Pond Dam

Town: Groton, VTNoyes Pond Dam

Stream: South Branch Wells River

Location: 44.2283, -72.3056Noyes Pond Dam Aerial

Hazard Class: Significant Hazard

Background: The Noyes Pond dam was originally built in 1934 and parts of the dam were reconstructed in 1989.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth-fill, concrete dam

Dam Height: 17 feet

Dam Length: 453 feet

Drainage Area: 3.76 square miles

Maximum Storage: 350 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Project: None at this time.


 

Low Hazard:


Great Hosmer Pond Dam

Town: Craftsbury, VTGreat Hosmer Pond Dam

Stream: Black River tributaryGreat Hosmer Pond Dam Aerial

Location: 44.6832, -72.3676

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: The Great Hosmer Pond dam was originally built in the early 1800’s. In 2012, parts of the dam were reconstructed.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Concrete Gravity Dam

Dam Height: 6 feet

Dam Length: 34 feet

Drainage Area: 1.25 square miles

Maximum Storage: 380 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: None at this time.


Lake Bomoseen Dam

Town: Castleton, VtLake Bomoseen Dam

Stream: Castleton River tributaryLake Bomoseen Dam Aerial

Location: 43.6052, -73.2333

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: The Lake Bomoseen dam was constructed on an unnamed tributary of the Castleton River around 1850 for the purpose of mill power.  Records of reconstruction of the dam indicate major work was done in 1903, 1913, 1953, 1979, 1986, and 1994.  The State acquired the site in 1969. Repairs to the concrete were conducted in 2016.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Concrete and Stone Masonry

Dam Height: 11 feet

Dam Length: 45 feet

Drainage Area: 37 square miles

Maximum Storage: 10,310 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Dam Operation: The State contracts with a Dam Operator who performs daily operations and maintenance of the dam. Operations are performed in accordance with Surface Water Rules, that is, the levels are generally maintained near gage zero favoring plus 3 inches in the summer months and favoring minus three inches in the winter months. In addition, the dam operator monitors the dam during flood events and observes and records daily water levels and provides that information to the State. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the dam or operations, please contact Ben Green at Benjamin.green@vermont.gov or 802-622-4093.

Project: None at this time. 


Lake Carmi Dam

Town: Franklin, VTLake Carmi Dam

Stream: Pike River tributaryLake Carmi Dam Aerial

Location: 44.9897, -72.8482

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: In 1969 the State of Vermont bought the property containing the Lake Carmi Dam and part of the Mill Pond, formerly known as LaBelle’s Mill, from Lucy and Shirley Bruso.  In 1970, the dam was rebuilt, and the Mill Pond (Lake Carmi) was restored for recreational use. 

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth-fill Concrete

Dam Height: 9 feet

Dam Length: 160 feet

Drainage Area: 12.05 square miles

Maximum Storage: 6,200 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: The State is in the design phase of a project to make embankment repairs, replace the stoplogs with a gate system, decommission the existing low-level outlet, and address other site improvements.

Stay tuned as this project will go to permitting and the draft decision will be posted on the Environmental Notice Bulletin at (link) along with project plans. 

The target is to perform the project during the 2022 construction season. The work will be funded through State Capital funds. The project will be performed with the use of a cofferdam that will allow lake levels to be maintained within normal ranges. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project, please contact Ben Green at Benjamin.green@vermont.gov or 802-622-4093.


Lake Groton Dam

Town: Groton, VTLake Groton Dam

Stream: Ricker Pond tributaryLake Groton Dam Aerial

Location: 44.2508, -72.2537

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: The dam was constructed to its current configuration in 1968. The stoplog bays and a 41-foott section of dam to the right of the principal spillway were rehabilitated in 2011.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Concrete gravity dam

Dam Height: 13 feet

Dam Length: 598 feet

Drainage Area: 18.75 square miles

Maximum Storage: 5,148 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: None at this time.


Lake Morey Dam

Town: Fairlee, VTLake Morey Dam

Stream: Connecticut River tributaryLake Morey Dam Aerial

Location: 43.9106, -72.1576

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: The Lake Morey Dam was constructed in 1897 and was reconstructed in 1949. 

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Concrete gravity dam

Dam Height: 5 feet

Dam Length: 20 feet

Drainage Area: 7.26 square miles

Maximum Storage: 2,150 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: None at this time


Little Hosmer Pond Dam

Town: Craftsbury, VTLittle Hosmer Pond Dam

Stream: Black River tributaryLittle Hosmer Pond Dam Aerial

Location: 44.6665, -72.3758

Hazard Class: Low hazard

Background: The Little Hosmer Pond Dam was constructed in 1969.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth-fill concrete gravity dam

Dam Height: 7 feet

Dam Length: 200 feet

Drainage Area: 2.8 square miles

Maximum Storage: 825 acre-feet

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: None at this time.


Wolcott Pond Dam

Town: Wolcott, VTWolcott Pond Dam

Stream: Wolcott Pond BrookWolcott Pond Dam Aerial

Location: 44.5682, -72.4266

Hazard Class: Low Hazard

Background: Wolcott Pond dam was constructed in 1968. In 2015 the outlet pipe was replaced, and trees were cleared from the dam.

Current Purpose: Recreation

Dam Type: Earth embankment

Dam Height: 9 feet

Dam Length: 270 feet

Drainage Area: 1.44 square miles

Maximum Storage: 550 acre-miles

Emergency Action Plan: Not required

Project: None at this time.