Comtu Falls is a gravity dam located in Windsor County, Vermont, built in 1902. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 4 ft4 ft tall and 140 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Comtu Falls
The primary purpose of Comtu Falls 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 Comtu Falls Corporation (private). It impounds the Black River.
The dam stands 4 feet tall and stretches 140 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 190 square miles. Completed in 1902, 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 08/12/2022.
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Location
| State | Vermont |
| County | Windsor |
| River/Stream | Black River |
| Coordinates | 43.29880, -72.48280 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 4 ft |
| Dam Height | 4 ft |
| Dam Length | 140 ft |
| Year Completed | 1902 (124 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 190 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,534 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Comtu Falls Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT83029 |
| Federal ID | VT83029 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |