Black Pond dam
Black Pond
Black Pond, located in Windsor, Vermont, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1897 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 7 feet with a structural length of 284 feet, creating a water storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The pond covers a surface area of 30 acres and is fed by the Black River, making it a picturesque and serene destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite its historical significance, Black Pond is currently assessed to be in poor condition with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in July 2015 highlighted the need for maintenance and improvements to ensure the safety and longevity of the dam. With the State of Vermont regulating its operation, inspection, and enforcement, there is a framework in place to address these concerns and protect the surrounding environment and communities.
As efforts continue to maintain and enhance the infrastructure of Black Pond, the collaboration between private ownership and state oversight underscores the importance of responsible stewardship of water resources. With its idyllic setting and recreational value, Black Pond serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment and environmental conservation in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Black Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Black River At North Springfield | 209 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 419 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 436 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Pond.
Boat launches
- Vt 100 Plymouth
- Fishing Access Road Ludlow
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Sanders Road Bethel
Campgrounds
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Forest Campsite With Stream & Fire Ring
- Greendale Campground
- Greendale
- Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Fishing spots
Track Black Pond 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 Black Pond
Where does the data for Black Pond 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 Black Pond.