Snow Lake

NORTH BRANCH DEERFIELD RIVER· Windham, Vermont· Built 1961· Earth· 17 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Snow Lake is classified as high hazard in Vermont. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 41.8% in VT)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDVT00288

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 2, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEC

Ownership

MT. SNOW LTD

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Snow Lake?

Snow Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Snow Lake?

Snow Lake is owned by MT. SNOW LTD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Snow Lake built?

Snow Lake was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Snow Lake?

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

How tall is Snow Lake?

Snow Lake has a dam height of 17 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 Snow Lake last inspected?

Snow Lake was last inspected on August 2, 2017. 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.