Waterbury Dam

Waterbury Dam
Official name	Waterbury Dam
Location	Waterbury, Vermont
Coordinates	44°22′54″N 72°46′18″W
Construction began	1935
Opening date	1938
Operator(s)	State of Vermont
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Little River
Height	190 ft (58 m)
Length	1,845 ft (562 m)
Reservoir
Creates	Waterbury Reservoir

The Waterbury Dam was built between 1935-1938 by 2,000 men working for the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, to serve as one of three dams to control the flow of Little River, Vermont, Winooski River and its tributaries. In 1927, flood waters from the Winooski River killed over 55 people and caused an estimated $13,000,000 in damage. Along with flood control, the dam also generates electric energy, generating an average of 15,000,000 kilowatt-hours (54,000,000 MJ) annually.

The 1,845 feet (562 m) long dam is filled with 2,200,000 cubic yards (1,700,000 m³) of material, including 3,490 cubic yards (2,668 m³) of clay in its center portion. The rocks, which serve as the dam's walls, were hand placed during the dam's original construction in 1938. The dam was modified in 1957 and 1958 to provide for increased security.

The dam and the reservoir it creates, the Waterbury Reservoir, are located in the town of Waterbury in northwestern Washington County.

Media

• 
  Waterbury Dam from the west side of the Little River
• 
  Structure on top of the Waterbury Dam, with a plaque by the door
• 
  Plaque on the structure on top of the dam

External links

• U.S. Corps of Engineers Waterbury Dam, Waterbury, Vermont, Dam Safety Assurance Program. Fact Sheet
• An Historic Look at the Damming of the Winooski River Watershed presentation including the Waterbury Dam