Fairfield Swamp Pond dam
Fairfield Swamp Pond
Fairfield Swamp Pond, also known as Dead Creek Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Swanton, Vermont. Built in 1967 by designers Haley & Ward, this concrete dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, offering recreational opportunities in addition to its conservation purpose. The dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a structural height of 15 feet, with a total length of 222 feet. It has a storage capacity of 4,500 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 500 acres, providing vital habitat for local wildlife.
Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Fairfield Swamp Pond is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with standards. Despite being classified as low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment, the dam has not undergone a recent inspection as of July 2020. With its location on Dead Creek, a tributary that flows through Franklin County, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting the ecosystem in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Fairfield Swamp Pond to be a fascinating example of human intervention in natural landscapes for conservation and recreational purposes in Vermont.
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 Fairfield Swamp Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missisquoi River At Swanton | 674 cfs | → |
| Lamoille River At East Georgia | 753 cfs | → |
| Missisquoi River Near East Berkshire | 462 cfs | → |
| Lamoille River At Johnson | 354 cfs | → |
| Little Chazy River Near Chazy Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairfield Swamp Pond.
Boat launches
- State Route 36 Fairfield
- Moreau Drive Swanton
- Highbridge Road 3065, Georgia
- Launch Road 99, Franklin
- Spring Street Highgate
- Lake Road Franklin
Campgrounds
- Burton Island
- Lake Carmi State Park
- Carmi State Park
- Lakewood Campground
- Grand Isle State Park
- Appletree Bay Campground
Paddle runs
Track Fairfield Swamp Pond 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 Fairfield Swamp Pond
Where does the data for Fairfield Swamp Pond 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 Fairfield Swamp Pond.