Moretown No. 8 dam
Moretown No. 8
Moretown No. 8 is a private hydroelectric dam located in Waterbury, Vermont, along the picturesque Mad River. Built in 1910, this concrete gravity dam stands at 31 feet tall and stretches 333 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. Despite being regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam is not under state jurisdiction or permitting. It has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
The dam's uncontrolled spillway is 164 feet wide, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 13,721 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 143 square miles and a surface area of 36 acres, Moretown No. 8 plays a crucial role in harnessing the water resources of the region for hydroelectric purposes. Although the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes inspections every three years, with the last one conducted in June 2018.
Overall, Moretown No. 8 is a significant structure in Vermont's water infrastructure, contributing to the state's renewable energy production. Its historical significance and operational efficiency make it a key player in the sustainable management of water resources and climate adaptation efforts in the region. As an enthusiast of water resources and climate issues, exploring the intricacies of this hydroelectric dam can deepen our understanding of the intersection between energy generation, water management, and environmental stewardship.
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 Moretown No. 8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mad River Near Moretown | 247 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 841 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Waterbury | 564 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 166 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 155 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moretown No. 8 .
Boat launches
- State Route 100b Moretown
- Blush Hill Road 2698, Waterbury
- Little River Road 417, Waterbury
- Justa Road Calais
- Warren And Ruth Beeken Rivershore Trail Richmond
- G A R Road 285, Calais
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
More reservoirs
Track Moretown No. 8 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 Moretown No. 8
Where does the data for Moretown No. 8 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 Moretown No. 8 .