Pownal Tannery

Hoosic River· Bennington, Vermont· Built 1984· Gravity· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pownal Tannery is classified as low hazard in Vermont. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 46% in VT)
Dam Length153 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage490 acre-ft
Normal Storage490 acre-ft
Surface Area77 acres
Drainage Area224 sq mi
Max Discharge5,987 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDVT00220

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 9, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Town of Pownal, VT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pownal Tannery?

Pownal Tannery is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Pownal Tannery?

Pownal Tannery is owned by Town of Pownal, VT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pownal Tannery built?

Pownal Tannery was completed in 1984, making it 42 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Pownal Tannery?

Pownal Tannery serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pownal Tannery?

Pownal Tannery has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Pownal Tannery last inspected?

Pownal Tannery was last inspected on July 9, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.