Morrisville Back Spillway dam
Morrisville Back Spillway
Morrisville Back Spillway in Vermont is a historic gravity dam completed in 1924 along the Lamoille River, serving a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and is 150 feet long, with a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. The spillway, with a width of 60 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing a maximum discharge of 35,000 cubic feet per second to prevent overflow and ensure safety.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Morrisville Back Spillway has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Although not state-regulated, the dam is under federal oversight for inspections and operations. With a drainage area of 222 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in water resource management and renewable energy production in the region, showcasing the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and climate resilience.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Morrisville Back Spillway offers a glimpse into the historical development of hydroelectric infrastructure in Vermont and its ongoing role in sustainable energy production. The dam's design, location, and operational characteristics provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between human-made structures, natural water systems, and regulatory frameworks. As a key component of the New England District's water management infrastructure, Morrisville Back Spillway stands as a testament to the enduring importance of balancing energy needs with environmental stewardship in the face of a changing climate.
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 Morrisville Back Spillway -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lamoille River At Johnson | 838 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 20 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Waterbury | 340 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 285 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 296 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 1,150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morrisville Back Spillway .
Boat launches
- Vt Route 15 E Morristown
- Green River Dam Road Hyde Park
- Wolcott Pond Road Wolcott
- Vt Route 100 Eden
- Nelson Pond Road Woodbury
- Justa Road Calais
Campgrounds
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
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Morrisville Back Spillway 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 Morrisville Back Spillway
Where does the data for Morrisville Back Spillway 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 Morrisville Back Spillway .