Proctor dam
Proctor
Proctor, also known as Sutherland Falls Dam, is a historic hydroelectric structure located in Proctor, Vermont. Built in 1910, this stone dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 128 feet, with a storage capacity of 460 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Otter Creek and is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, making it a key player in the region's hydroelectric power generation.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Proctor serves as a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the area. Despite its age, the dam has been well-maintained and regularly inspected, with the last inspection taking place in August 2019. The dam's primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation highlights its significance in the region's energy production and sustainability efforts.
Proctor's unique design, historical significance, and role in renewable energy production make it a fascinating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As a public utility owned structure, this dam not only contributes to the local economy but also plays a vital role in water regulation and energy generation in Vermont's Rutland County. With its controlled spillway, storage capacity, and efficient operation, Proctor stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and sustainable energy production.
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 Proctor -- 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 | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Proctor .
Boat launches
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Sudbury
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
- Kinni Kinnic Lane Poultney
- Orwell
Campgrounds
- Half Moon Pond State Park
- Bomoseen State Park
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Chittenden Brook
- Chittenden Brook Campground
- Country Village Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
More reservoirs
Track Proctor 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 Proctor
Where does the data for Proctor 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 Proctor .