Brilyea West dam
Brilyea West
Brilyea West is a state-regulated dam located in Addison, Vermont, along the West Branch Dead Creek. Built in 1957 by designers Haley & Ward, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans 1198 feet, providing storage of 775 acre-feet for its primary purpose as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of 2015, Brilyea West is inspected every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
This dam, managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, serves not only as a vital water resource but also as a recreational spot in the picturesque surroundings of Addison County. The dam's presence enhances the local ecosystem, providing a habitat for fish and wildlife while offering opportunities for outdoor activities. Its location in the heart of nature makes it an ideal destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of human infrastructure and environmental conservation.
As an integral part of the landscape, Brilyea West embodies the balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems. Its role in water management and conservation showcases the importance of sustainable practices in maintaining the health of our environment. For those passionate about water resources and climate issues, Brilyea West stands as a symbol of responsible stewardship and the potential for harmonious coexistence between human development and the natural world.
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 Brilyea West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven River At Brooksville Nr Middlebury | 153 cfs | → |
| Little Otter Creek At Ferrisburg | 37 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Lewis Creek At North Ferrisburg | 98 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 279 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brilyea West.
Boat launches
- Vt 17 Addison
- Vt 125 Addison
- Bridge Road Essex County
- Port Henry Boat Launch
- Bulwagga Drive Port Henry
- Button Bay Public Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Dar State Park
- D.A.R State Park
- Crown Point - Dec
- Port Henry Village Campground
- Bulwagga Bay Campground
- Button Bay State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Brilyea West 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 Brilyea West
Where does the data for Brilyea West 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 Brilyea West.