Milton dam
Milton
Milton, also known as Great Falls Dam, is a captivating hydroelectric structure located in West Milton, Vermont. Built in 1929, this concrete gravity dam stands at 25 feet tall and spans 144 feet in length, harnessing the power of the Lamoille River to generate clean energy. With a storage capacity of 93 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 83,000 cubic feet per second, Milton plays a crucial role in providing renewable energy to the region.
Managed by a public utility, Milton falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and is not subject to state regulation. Despite its low hazard potential, Milton poses a very high risk due to its age and the lack of recent condition assessments. The dam's controlled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its safe operation and the surrounding area's protection from potential flooding events. As an essential part of Vermont's water infrastructure, Milton serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable energy production and resource management in the face of a changing climate.
Overall, Milton stands as a testament to the ingenuity of early hydroelectric engineering and the ongoing need for responsible maintenance and regulation of water resources. Its historical significance and continued operation in the modern era highlight the intersection of environmental conservation, renewable energy production, and climate resilience. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, we must continue to monitor and support structures like Milton to ensure their long-term viability and contribution to a sustainable future.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Milton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lamoille River At East Georgia | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Winooski River Near Essex Junction | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Englesby Brook At Burlington | 15 cfs | → |
| Potash Br @ Queen City Park Rd | 116 cfs | → |
| Saranac River At Plattsburgh Ny | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At South Plattsburgh Ny | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Milton .
⚓ Boat launches
- Highbridge Road 3065, Georgia
- Abare Lane Milton
- Indian Brook Loop Trail Essex
- Featherbed Lane South Hero
- Pearl Street Essex Junction
- Sunrise Drive South Hero
⛺ Campgrounds
- Scouts Point
- Appletree Bay Campground
- Grand Isle State Park
- Burton Island
- North Beach
- Primitive Campsite 14
🛶 Paddle runs
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Milton in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Milton
Where does the data for Milton come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Milton .