Reynolds Reservoir dam
Reynolds Reservoir
Reynolds Reservoir, located in Rutland, Vermont, is a local government-owned water resource nestled along Otter Creek. Built in 1884, this Earth dam stands at 19 feet tall and spans 577 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet. The reservoir serves various purposes, including recreation, and boasts a surface area of 3 acres within its watershed of 0.1 square miles.
Despite its historical significance, Reynolds Reservoir is currently facing challenges in terms of its condition and hazard potential. An inspection in 2018 deemed its structural integrity as poor, raising concerns about its safety and stability. The reservoir has a significant hazard potential, prompting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety and efficient water management.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Reynolds Reservoir offers a glimpse into the intersection of history, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure management. As a key water source in the region, the reservoir's condition and maintenance are vital for both recreational enjoyment and environmental sustainability. With its rich history dating back over a century, Reynolds Reservoir continues to be a focal point for water resource management in Vermont, highlighting the importance of balancing conservation efforts with infrastructure upkeep in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Reynolds Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reynolds Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Sudbury
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
- Kinni Kinnic Lane Poultney
- West Lake Road Wells
Campgrounds
- Half Moon Pond State Park
- Bomoseen State Park
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Chittenden Brook
- Chittenden Brook Campground
- Country Village Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
More reservoirs
Track Reynolds Reservoir 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 Reynolds Reservoir
Where does the data for Reynolds Reservoir 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 Reynolds Reservoir.