Chittenden Reservoir dam
Chittenden Reservoir
Chittenden Reservoir, located in Rutland, Vermont, is a hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1901. With a height of 51 feet and a structural height of 68 feet, this earth dam sits on East Creek and has a storage capacity of 22,090 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 693 acres and serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power in the region.
Despite its age, Chittenden Reservoir is still considered to have a high hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition. The last inspection date recorded was in 1987, with inspections scheduled every 5 years. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, emergency preparedness plans and risk assessments have not been updated or conducted.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Chittenden Reservoir presents a fascinating case study of a historic hydroelectric structure with potential risks and challenges. As efforts to update emergency plans and conduct risk assessments are essential in ensuring the safety and sustainability of this valuable resource, further attention and action may be needed to address the dam's condition and hazard potential in the 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 Chittenden Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 54 cfs | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chittenden Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
- Sudbury
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Sanders Road Bethel
- Vt 100 Plymouth
Campgrounds
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Chittenden Brook
- Chittenden Brook Campground
- Bingo
- Country Village Campground
- Silver Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Track Chittenden Reservoir 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 Chittenden Reservoir
Where does the data for Chittenden Reservoir 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 High 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 Chittenden Reservoir.