Hidden Lake dam
Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake, located in Marlboro, Vermont, is a picturesque reservoir with a rich history dating back to 1850. The dam, primarily used for recreation, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The surrounding area covers 19 acres and drains into the Marlboro Branch-TR stream, making it a vital part of the local ecosystem.
Managed by private owners and regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Hidden Lake has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections are conducted every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its low-risk profile, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in Windham County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Hidden Lake's unique design, with a masonry dam constructed on a foundation of rock. As one of the few dams in the area with such characteristics, Hidden Lake offers a glimpse into the engineering practices of the 19th century. With its serene surroundings and historical significance, Hidden Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural resources 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 Hidden Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West River Below Townshend Dam Near Townshend | 46 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 50 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River At Hinsdale | 971 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 227 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 83 cfs | → |
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 248 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hidden Lake.
Boat launches
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Somerset
- Spofford Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Molly Stark State Park
- Molly Stark State Park Campsites
- Fort Dummer State Park
- Townshend State Park
- Red Mill Brook
- Jamaica State Park
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To First Bridge
Track Hidden 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 Hidden Lake
Where does the data for Hidden 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 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 Hidden Lake.