Comtu Falls dam
Comtu Falls
Comtu Falls, located in Windsor, Vermont, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam on the Black River. Built in 1902, this gravity dam stands at a height of 4 feet with a length of 140 feet, providing a storage capacity of 2 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 13,534 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in harnessing water resources for hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Comtu Falls has a significant hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as not available. However, regular inspections are conducted, with the last inspection taking place in September 2019. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2017, ensuring preparedness for any potential risks associated with its operation.
As a key player in Vermont's water resource infrastructure, Comtu Falls serves as a vital component in the state's hydroelectric power generation efforts. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, this dam continues to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources and climate-related considerations in the region.
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 Comtu Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At North Springfield | 271 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 170 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 555 cfs | → |
| Saxtons River At Saxtons River | 19 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 13,800 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 227 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Comtu Falls .
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Crescent Lake Boat Launch
- Ice House Road Londonderry
- Lake Warren Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Tree Farm Campground
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Horseshoe Acres Campground
- Northstar Campground
- Greendale Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To End Of Kendall Farm Road
More reservoirs
Track Comtu Falls 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 Comtu Falls
Where does the data for Comtu Falls 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 Significant 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 Comtu Falls .