Map of All 371 Vermont Dams
Vermont has 371 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 69 are classified as high hazard (19% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 20 Vermont dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Vermont dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Vermont to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Vermont Dams by the Numbers
- 371 total dams in Vermont
- 69 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 131 significant hazard
- 171 low hazard
- 104 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (103 poor, 1 unsatisfactory)
- 20 Vermont dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Vermont
The tallest dam in Vermont is Ball Mountain Dam at 247 feet, completed in 1961. The 10 tallest Vermont dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball Mountain Dam | 247 ft | 1961 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Windham |
| Waterbury | 187 ft | 1938 | Flood Risk Reduction | Poor | Washington |
| Harriman | 186 ft | 1924 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Windham |
| North Hartland Dam | 182 ft | 1961 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Windsor |
| Union Village Dam | 164 ft | 1950 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Orange |
| Townshend Dam | 126 ft | 1961 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Windham |
| Elizabeth Mine Tp-1 | 120 ft | 1958 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Orange |
| North Springfield Dam | 118 ft | 1960 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Windsor |
| Wrightsville | 115 ft | 1935 | Flood Risk Reduction | Fair | Washington |
| Jewell Brook Site No. 5 | 113 ft | 1972 | Flood Risk Reduction | Fair | Windsor |
High-Hazard Vermont Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 20 dams in Vermont. Notable examples:
- Waterbury (187 ft, Washington County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Windsor Upper (55 ft, Windsor County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Thurman W. Dix Reservoir (50 ft, Orange County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Wright Reservoir (36 ft, Windsor County) — Other, Poor condition
- Blodgett (32 ft, Orange County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Vermont
Dam safety in Vermont is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Vermont?
Vermont has 371 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 69 high hazard, 131 significant hazard, and 171 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Vermont?
The tallest dam in Vermont is Ball Mountain Dam at 247 feet, completed in 1961. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Vermont dams are in poor condition?
104 Vermont dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 20 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
