West Charleston
West Charleston is a rockfill dam located in Orleans County, Vermont, built in 1928. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About West Charleston
The primary purpose of West Charleston is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Great Bay Hydro Corporation (private). It impounds the Clyde River near West Charleston.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 196 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 220 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 108 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/17/2022.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Vermont dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Vermont |
| County | Orleans |
| Nearest City | West Charleston |
| River/Stream | Clyde River |
| Coordinates | 44.89520, -72.05500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 196.3 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 108 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,730 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Great Bay Hydro Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/17/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00021 |
| Federal ID | VT00021 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |