About The Reservoir
In the early 1800s, pioneers began clearing fields, rocks, and stumps in the Ricker Basin and Cotton Brook, establishing a settlement of around 50 families in the area. However, in November 1927, persistent heavy rains caused rivers and streams, already saturated, to overflow, flooding towns like Waterbury, Stockbridge, and Johnson, and resulting in the tragic loss of eighty-four lives. In the 1930s, in response to this devastation, the Army Corps of Engineers enlisted World War I veterans to embark on a dam project, with approximately 2,000 workers residing at the dam's base throughout the construction. Initially built to mitigate flood risks and produce hydroelectric power, the reservoir has evolved into a popular recreational destination, offering activities like boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Covering 850 acres and stretching 6.5 miles, the reservoir is surrounded by Mount Mansfield State Forest and two state parks, making it an essential part of the ecological and recreational framework in central Vermont.
History Timeline
1800
In the early 1800's, pioneers cleared fields, rocks, and stumps in Ricker Basin and Cotton Brook.
A settlement of 50 or so families once lived in this area.
1935 and 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, constructed Waterbury Reservoir.
1927
Since the 1990's, the Reservoir was drained twice for several years to allow for repairs and improvements to the Waterbury Dam and for bank stabilization work on the banks of Little River State Park.
In 1994, the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir was born of an urgent and adversarial need to confront motorboat abuse on the Reservoir, promoted not only by various motor boat advocacy groups but also by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The resolution was a compromise zoning of the Reservoir, established the emergence of cooperative efforts of various motorized and quiet user’s groups.
In 2010, the reservoir was re-filled to its normal 860 or so acres, and visitors returned in greater numbers to enjoy the large open water spaces and the Reservoir saw the return of greater numbers of loons, eagles, hawks, herons, and other wildlife.
In 2013, the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir
re-engaged with our partners.
1935
1990
1994
2010
2013
In 1927, Vermont experienced devastating flooding that claimed 84 lives, with 55 fatalities occurring in the Winooski River basin. The disaster resulted in an estimated $30 million in property damage.
Important Numbers
Waterbury Center State Park and Little River State Park have an average number of 67,280 visitors each year.
$8 million: Estimated total expenditures for durable and nondurable goods in Vermont from visitors to the two State Parks. (not counting non-park visitors)
Waterbury Reservoir's full water surface level is 860 acres.
From end to end the Reservoir is 6 ½ miles in length.
The maximum depth of the reservoir in the summertime is 100 feet.
589.5 feet: Water elevation in the summertime at the Waterbury Dam.
Approximately 5.5 megawatts of power generated by the Little River Hydro Station (operated by Green Mountain Power) located at the base of the Waterbury Dam.
The Waterbury dam is 1,845 feet in length and 187 feet high.
There are 5 public boat access areas to the Waterbury Reservoir. (Waterbury Dam, Blush Hill, Little River State Park, Waterbury Center State Park, and Moscow / Cottonbrook)
37,000 acres of Mount Mansfield State Forest surrounds the Reservoir.