Windsor Upper
Windsor Upper is a gravity dam located in Windsor County, Vermont, built in 1834. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Windsor Upper
The primary purpose of Windsor Upper is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Windsor (local government). It impounds the Mill Brook near Windsor.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 320 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 70 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 645 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 43 square miles. Completed in 1834, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 06/23/2016. That was 9 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% 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 | Windsor |
| Nearest City | Windsor |
| River/Stream | Mill Brook |
| Coordinates | 43.47631, -72.39539 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 320 ft |
| Year Completed | 1834 (192 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 645 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 645 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
| Drainage Area | 43 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | TOWN OF WINDSOR |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/23/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00013 |
| Federal ID | VT00013 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |