Green Mountain Power said its dam at the Marshfield Reservoir was threatened by rising floodwaters late Sunday, but the crisis eased by Monday morning.
The company said it might have had to release water so it wouldn’t flow over the top of the dam. That would have been necessary because the dam is earthen and water coming over it could weaken it.
But releasing water also could have flooded areas just to the west in Marshfield village.
And it would have added to the already devastating flooding along the Winooski River, especially in Montpelier.
The Marshfield Reservoir stopped rising and no excess water ultimately had to be released.
Montpelier officials say the river crested in the capital at slightly more than 19 feet. During the floods in the spring, the river hit 17.5 feet in Montpelier.
The city’s downtown business district was flooded and some residents were evacuated.