Wrightsville dam
Wrightsville
Located in Middlesex, Vermont, Wrightsville is a state-owned dam designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 1935, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 115 feet and spans 1525 feet along the North Branch Winooski River. With a storage capacity of 36,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 190 acres, Wrightsville serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreational activities.
Despite its high hazard potential, Wrightsville is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam has not been modified in recent years and is inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity. While there is no state regulation or permitting in place for this dam, the primary source agency responsible for its management is the state of Vermont. Proactive emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) have not been updated or implemented, highlighting a potential area for improvement in risk management.
As a critical infrastructure in the region, Wrightsville plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding communities from flood events. With its historical significance and multifaceted use, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in Vermont. As climate change continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Wrightsville will be crucial in safeguarding the local environment and infrastructure for future generations.
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 Wrightsville -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 285 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 296 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 185 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Waterbury | 340 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wrightsville.
Boat launches
- Justa Road Calais
- State Route 100b Moretown
- G A R Road 285, Calais
- Nelson Pond Road Woodbury
- Blush Hill Road 2698, Waterbury
- Little River Road 417, Waterbury
Campgrounds
- A Area
- B Area
- Little River State Park
- Primitive Campsite #22
- Primitive Campsite #21
- New Discovery State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
More reservoirs
Track Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville
Where does the data for Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville.