Fairfax Falls dam
Fairfax Falls
Fairfax Falls, located in Fairfax, Vermont, is a captivating hydroelectric dam that has been standing since 1919. This concrete structure stands at 26 feet tall and spans 367 feet in length, harnessing the power of the Lamoille River to generate clean energy. With a storage capacity of 1080 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 66,900 cubic feet per second, Fairfax Falls plays a crucial role in the region's water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Fairfax Falls is classified as having a low hazard potential, but a very high risk assessment score of 1. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any recent modifications, with its last inspection taking place in June 2018. While the condition assessment is currently unavailable, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in February 2014. With its controlled spillway and rock foundation, Fairfax Falls continues to be a key player in the region's renewable energy portfolio while also posing a significant risk that must be managed effectively.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Fairfax Falls to be a fascinating example of sustainable energy production and infrastructure management. As one of the primary sources of hydroelectric power in the area, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing natural resources for human benefit and mitigating potential risks to both the environment and local communities. With its historical significance and ongoing operational challenges, Fairfax Falls presents a unique case study in the intersection of water resource management, renewable energy generation, and infrastructure resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Fairfax Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lamoille River At East Georgia | 1,250 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 15 cfs | → |
| Winooski River Near Essex Junction | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Lamoille River At Johnson | 547 cfs | → |
| Englesby Brook At Burlington | 15 cfs | → |
| Potash Br @ Queen City Park Rd | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairfax Falls .
⚓ Boat launches
- Highbridge Road 3065, Georgia
- State Route 36 Fairfield
- Indian Brook Loop Trail Essex
- Abare Lane Milton
- Pearl Street Essex Junction
- Featherbed Lane South Hero
⛺ Campgrounds
- Scouts Point
- Underhill State Park
- Smugglers Notch State Park
- Twin Brooks Tenting Area
- Burton Island
- Appletree Bay Campground
Track Fairfax 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 Fairfax Falls
Where does the data for Fairfax 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 Fairfax Falls .