Searsburg

Deerfield River· Bennington, Vermont· Built 1922· Other· 50 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Searsburg is classified as low hazard in Vermont. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 91.1% in VT)
Dam Length612 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage412 acre-ft
Normal Storage412 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area90 sq mi
Max Discharge12,200 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDVT00026

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: August 3, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Great River Hydro, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Somerset

Windham, VT

High Hazard 110 ft

West Lake

Windham, VT

High Hazard 56 ft

Snow Lake

Windham, VT

High Hazard 17 ft

Adams Reservoir

Bennington, VT

Significant Hazard 21 ft

North Branch Fire District No. 1

Windham, VT

Significant Hazard 33 ft

Harriman

Windham, VT

High Hazard 186 ft

Spruce Lake

Windham, VT

Low Hazard 20 ft

Lake Clara

Windham, VT

High Hazard 33 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Searsburg?

Searsburg 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 Searsburg?

Searsburg is owned by Great River Hydro, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Searsburg built?

Searsburg was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Searsburg?

Searsburg 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 Searsburg?

Searsburg has a dam height of 50 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 Searsburg last inspected?

Searsburg was last inspected on August 3, 2022. 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.