Silver Lake dam
Silver Lake
Silver Lake in Vermont is a captivating hydroelectric dam nestled in the scenic city of Lake Dunmore. Built in 1917, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 3,003 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 2,450 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 550 cubic feet per second, Silver Lake plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and generating clean energy.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Silver Lake serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway and high hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures. Despite its age, Silver Lake continues to demonstrate moderate risk, with an inspection frequency of once per year and an emergency action plan last revised in January 2020.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and environmental impact of Silver Lake. As a key player in Vermont's energy infrastructure, this dam not only provides clean power but also presents challenges in terms of hazard potential and risk management. With its serene location on Sucker Brook and impressive storage capacity, Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,030 cfs | → |
| New Haven River At Brooksville Nr Middlebury | 163 cfs | → |
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 53 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 564 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Little Otter Creek At Ferrisburg | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Lake .
Boat launches
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
- Sudbury
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Mount Independence Road Orwell
- Hanson Road Shoreham
Campgrounds
- Silver Lake Campground
- Branbury State Park
- Moosalamoo
- Moosalamoo Campground
- Lake Dunmore Kampersville
- Country Village Campground
Fishing spots
- Lefferts Pond Area
- Black Pond Access Point
- Combination Pond
- Moses Pond
- Heinburg Bridge Fishing Access Pier
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake
Where does the data for Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake .