Harris dam
Harris
Harris is a state-regulated Earth dam located in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1957 by designers Haley & Ward, this dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a length of 240 feet. It has a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres, serving as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area.
The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Harris provides a safe recreational space for visitors. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in April 2004, with an inspection frequency of 10 years.
Although Harris has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), it continues to be a well-maintained structure that contributes to the local community's enjoyment of the East Slang-Tr river. With its scenic location and regulated status, Harris is a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate-conscious infrastructure development in Vermont.
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 Harris -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Creek At North Ferrisburg | 108 cfs | → |
| Little Otter Creek At Ferrisburg | 45 cfs | → |
| Laplatte River At Shelburne Falls | 53 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 322 cfs | → |
| New Haven River At Brooksville Nr Middlebury | 161 cfs | → |
| Potash Br @ Queen City Park Rd | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harris.
Boat launches
- Hawkins Road Ferrisburgh
- Fort Cassin Road Ferrisburgh
- Fishing Access Road Charlotte
- Camp Road Monkton
- Button Bay Public Boat Access
- Beach Road 353, Shelburne
Campgrounds
- Mt. Philo State Park
- Button Bay State Park
- Dar State Park
- D.A.R State Park
- Port Henry Village Campground
- Crown Point - Dec
Fishing spots
Track Harris 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 Harris
Where does the data for Harris 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 Harris.