Thurman W. Dix Reservoir
Thurman W. Dix Reservoir is a gravity dam located in Orange County, Vermont, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Thurman W. Dix Reservoir
The primary purpose of Thurman W. Dix Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Barre (local government). It impounds the Orange Brook near Orange.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 920 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 119 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,280 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/18/2024.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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 | Orange |
| Nearest City | Orange |
| River/Stream | Orange Brook |
| Coordinates | 44.18050, -72.42490 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 920 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,280 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,280 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,070 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 119 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,430 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF BARRE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/18/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00069 |
| Federal ID | VT00069 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |