Silver Lake
Silver Lake is an earth dam located in Addison County, Vermont, built in 1917. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Silver Lake
The primary purpose of Silver Lake 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 Green Mountain Power Corporation (public utility). It impounds the Sucker Brook near Lake Dunmore.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 283 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 110 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,003 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1917, the structure is over a century 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 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 06/08/2022.
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 | Addison |
| Nearest City | Lake Dunmore |
| River/Stream | Sucker Brook |
| Coordinates | 43.89870, -73.05290 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 283.5 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,003 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,003 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 550 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Green Mountain Power Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00196 |
| Federal ID | VT00196 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |