Carver Falls dam
Carver Falls
Carver Falls, located in Whitehall, NY, is a stunning hydroelectric dam built in 1894 on the Poultney River. The dam stands at 34 feet high and spans 514 feet in length, with a controlled spillway width of 357 feet. With a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 6900 cubic feet per second, Carver Falls plays a crucial role in providing renewable energy to the region.
Despite its age, Carver Falls has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, indicating a well-maintained structure with minimal risk of failure. The dam is federally regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes inspections every three years to ensure its continued safe operation. With its vertical lift outlet gates and concrete gravity structure, Carver Falls stands as a testament to the engineering ingenuity of its time, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike to marvel at its historic significance and sustainable energy production capabilities.
As a public utility owned by the state of Vermont, Carver Falls serves as a prime example of how hydroelectric power can contribute to a clean energy future while respecting environmental regulations and safety standards. The dam's location within the New York District of the US Army Corps of Engineers further underscores its importance as a key infrastructure asset for water resource management in the region. With its impressive history, efficient design, and commitment to sustainability, Carver Falls continues to be a shining example of responsible water resource development in the face of climate challenges.
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 Carver Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carver Falls .
Boat launches
- Skenesborough Drive 4, Whitehall
- South Bay State Boat Launch
- Lake Road 4819, Benson
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Orwell
- Kinni Kinnic Lane Poultney
Campgrounds
- Bomoseen State Park
- Half Moon Pond State Park
- St. Catherine State Park
- Rogers Rock - Dec
- Country Village Campground
- Camp Wakpominee
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Carver Falls 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 Carver Falls
Where does the data for Carver Falls 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 Carver Falls .