Keyser

About Keyser

The primary purpose of Keyser is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Keyser Limited Partnership (private). It impounds the Bicknell Brook near Chelsea.

The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 225 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 88 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 07/10/2017. That was 8 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.

At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% 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.