Middle Bolton Lake dam
Middle Bolton Lake
Middle Bolton Lake, also known as Bolton Lake, is a picturesque water resource located in Vernon, Connecticut. Managed by the state agency DEEP, this recreational dam was completed in 1940 and stands at a height of 19.5 feet with a storage capacity of 672 acre-feet. The lake covers an expansive surface area of 140 acres and is fed by Bolton Pond Brook, offering ample opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based recreation.
With a drainage area of 3.04 square miles and a significant hazard potential, Middle Bolton Lake plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and water management infrastructure. Despite being classified as fair condition during the last assessment in 2015, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its continued safety and functionality. As climate change impacts water resources worldwide, the management of Middle Bolton Lake serves as a model for sustainable water conservation and recreational use in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Middle Bolton Lake represents a valuable case study in the intersection of recreation, conservation, and infrastructure development. Its historical significance, engineering design, and regulatory oversight provide insights into effective water resource management practices in the context of changing climate conditions. As a beloved outdoor destination in Tolland County, Middle Bolton Lake exemplifies the importance of balancing human enjoyment with the preservation of natural ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.
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 Middle Bolton Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 91 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 144 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 18 cfs | → |
| Natchaug River At Willimantic | 179 cfs | → |
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 35 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Bolton Lake.
Boat launches
- Bolton Lake (Lower)
- Coventry Lake
- New State Road Trail Manchester
- Holbrook Pond
- Mono Pond
- Bissell Bridge (Connecticut River)
Campgrounds
- Beech Grove 5
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Brialee
- Primitve Camping Area
- Highland Campground
- Laurel Lock Camp
Fishing spots
- Trout Hatchery
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lake Washington Fishing Area
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Toms Creek
- Twotree Island Channel
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Middle Bolton Lake 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 Middle Bolton Lake
Where does the data for Middle Bolton Lake 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 Significant 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 Middle Bolton Lake.