Chace Mill dam
Chace Mill
Chace Mill, also known as the American Woolen Dam or Winooski One Dam, is a captivating hydroelectric structure located in Burlington, Vermont along the picturesque Winooski River. Owned by the local government, this gravity dam stands at a height of 29 feet and stretches 240 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 34 acre-feet. Completed in 1993, Chace Mill serves as a vital source of renewable energy in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 30,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chace Mill's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a prime example of sustainable water resource management. With a spillway width of 180 feet and controlled outlet gates, this dam ensures efficient water flow while minimizing potential risks to the surrounding environment. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment remains unavailable, but its last inspection in May 2019 indicated a satisfactory operational status.
Overall, Chace Mill stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With its focus on hydroelectric power generation and adherence to regulatory guidelines, this dam plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of the region's water infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Chace Mill serves as a shining example of how innovative engineering can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
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 Chace Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winooski River Near Essex Junction | 3,210 cfs | → |
| Englesby Brook At Burlington | 15 cfs | → |
| Potash Br @ Queen City Park Rd | 116 cfs | → |
| Laplatte River At Shelburne Falls | 76 cfs | → |
| Bouquet River At Willsboro Ny | 437 cfs | → |
| Lamoille River At East Georgia | 1,770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chace Mill .
Boat launches
- Burlington Waterfront Boat Ramp
- Pearl Street Essex Junction
- Indian Brook Loop Trail Essex
- Shelburne Bay Boat Ramp
- Pond Access Road Shelburne
- Abare Lane Milton
Campgrounds
- North Beach
- Scouts Point
- Appletree Bay Campground
- Ausable Point - Dec
- Primitive Campsite 19
- Primitive Campsite 20
Fishing spots
Track Chace Mill 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 Chace Mill
Where does the data for Chace Mill 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 Chace Mill .