Essex No. 19

Essex No. 19 is a concrete dam located in Chittenden County, Vermont, built in 1917. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Essex No. 19

The primary purpose of Essex No. 19 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 Winooski River near Burlington.

The dam stands 53 feet tall and stretches 475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 352 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,043 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 05/18/2022.

At 53 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateVermont
CountyChittenden
Nearest CityBurlington
River/StreamWinooski River
Coordinates44.48220, -73.11480

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height53 ft
Dam Height53 ft
Dam Length475 ft
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,950 acre-ft
Max Storage1,950 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,950 acre-ft
Surface Area352 acres
Drainage Area1,043 sq mi
Max Discharge75,000 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerGreen Mountain Power Corporation
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection05/18/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDVT00045
Federal IDVT00045
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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