Chittenden Reservoir

About Chittenden Reservoir

The primary purpose of Chittenden Reservoir 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 Corp (public utility). It impounds the East Creek near Chittenden.

The dam stands 68 feet tall and stretches 967 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 693 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22,090 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1901, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 01/01/1987. That was 39 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

At 68 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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.