Vail dam
Vail
Vail, also known as Vail Station, is a picturesque hydroelectric dam located in Lyndon, Vermont along the Passumpsic River. Built in 1910, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 125 feet. It has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition is currently not rated, with its last inspection dating back to September 1997.
Owned by the local government, Vail plays a crucial role in the region's water management and hydroelectric power generation. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric, and it is designed as a multi-arch structure with a foundation on rock. While it is not regulated by the state or the US Army Corps of Engineers, Vail serves as a key component in the local water infrastructure, providing essential services to the community. The dam's location in the Caledonia County of Vermont adds to its significance in the area's water resource management.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Vail represents a unique blend of historical significance and modern functionality. With its serene surroundings and strategic location on the Passumpsic River, the dam stands as a testament to the region's commitment to sustainable energy production and water conservation. While its condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam's low hazard potential and long-standing presence underscore its importance in the local ecosystem. As efforts continue to assess and maintain Vail's structural integrity, it remains a symbol of the enduring connection between water resources and environmental stewardship in the Vermont region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Vail -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepers River (Site W-5) Near St. Johnsbury | 99 cfs | → |
| Pope Brook (Site W-3) Nr. N. Danville | 10 cfs | → |
| Moose River At Victory | 222 cfs | → |
| East Branch Passumpsic River Near East Haven | 155 cfs | → |
| Passumpsic River At Passumpsic | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River Near Dalton | 3,860 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vail.
Boat launches
- Shadow Lake Road Concord
- Harveys Hollow Road Peacham
- Horse Pond Road Greensboro
- North Pond Road Walden
- Perkins Landing Road Littleton
- Taylor Road Peacham
Campgrounds
- Burke Mountain Campground
- Sugar Ridge Rv Resort
- Crazy Horse Family Campground
- Boy Scout's Of America
- Page
- Maidstone State Park
Track Vail in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Vail
Where does the data for Vail come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Vail.