Bradford is a concrete dam located in Orange County, Vermont, built in 1905. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 52 ft52 ft tall and 196 ft long, taller than 93% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Bradford
The primary purpose of Bradford 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 Waits River near Bradford.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 196 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 150 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 08/09/2022.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Vermont |
| County | Orange |
| Nearest City | Bradford |
| River/Stream | Waits River |
| Coordinates | 43.99150, -72.12910 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Length | 196 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 150 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 19,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Green Mountain Power Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/09/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00044 |
| Federal ID | VT00044 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |