Bolster Reservoir dam
Bolster Reservoir
Located in Barre Town, Vermont, Bolster Reservoir is a private water supply reservoir with a primary purpose of providing water for various uses. Built in 1910, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a capacity of 55 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 6 acres and is fed by the Stevens Branch-TR river or stream.
Despite its age, Bolster Reservoir has a low hazard potential, although its condition assessment is rated as poor. The last inspection in 2005 revealed this, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 10 years. The reservoir is state-regulated with oversight from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring that it meets the necessary safety and operational standards.
Although Bolster Reservoir may face some challenges in terms of its current condition, it remains a vital water resource for the surrounding area. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and preserving our water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Bolster Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 155 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 841 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 166 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 26 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 247 cfs | → |
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bolster Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Rood Pond Road Williamstown
- Vt 12 Brookfield
- State Route 100b Moretown
- Justa Road Calais
- G A R Road 285, Calais
- Peacham Pond Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Allis State Park
- Ricker Pond State Park
- Stillwater State Park
- Yestermarrow Camp Ground
- Big Deer State Park
- New Discovery State Park
Fishing spots
Track Bolster 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 Bolster Reservoir
Where does the data for Bolster 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 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 Bolster Reservoir.