Stiles Pond
Stiles Pond is a gravity dam located in Caledonia County, Vermont, built in 1877. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Stiles Pond
The primary purpose of Stiles Pond is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of St. Johnsbury (local government). It impounds the Stiles Brook near Waterford.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 148 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 146 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,825 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1877, 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 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 05/22/2024.
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 | Caledonia |
| Nearest City | Waterford |
| River/Stream | Stiles Brook |
| Coordinates | 44.42204, -71.94635 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 148 ft |
| Year Completed | 1877 (149 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,825 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,825 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 146 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 180 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00054 |
| Federal ID | VT00054 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |