Swanton installs new Dry Hydrant with assistance from Vermont Association of Conservation District’s Rural Fire Protection Program

The Swanton Fire Department completed an installation of a new dry hydrant on the

Missisquoi River at John’s Bridge – Leon Babbie Fish & Wildlife Access on August 12,

2025. This installation was coordinated by Troy Dare and is part of a comprehensive

rural fire protection program from the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

designed to improve rural fire safety access across Vermont.

This dry hydrant should improve the fire protection services in Swanton by increasing

the availability and accessibility of water for firefighting purposes. The Vermont Rural

Fire Protection Task Force through the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

aided the Swanton Fire Department to develop and implement a plan to improve water

access to fight fires.

Dry hydrants are a common method for alternate water supply in firefighting areas

where there is no access to water mains. A dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipeline

that allows a fire department to draw water from static water sources, like a pond, lake,

or river, as opposed to a wet hydrant, where water is pressurized and can be pulled

directly from a water line. The installed pipeline has a fitting to which a pump and tanker

can attach. This system can supply 900 – 1000 gallons per minute and can provide at

least 120,000 gallons of water in drought conditions.

The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District is one of 14 Natural

Resources Conservation Districts in Vermont and a member of the Vermont Association

of Conservation Districts. Thanks to VACD and Troy Dare and his team for their work

with the Swanton Fire Department to improve water access and fire protection

throughout the district.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Troy Dare at 802-828-4582 or

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