Prison Pond dam
Prison Pond
Prison Pond, also known as Southeast State Correctional and Windsor Prison, is a concrete dam located in Windsor, Vermont. Built in 1925, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 154 feet, Prison Pond has a storage capacity of 8 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1 acre.
The dam is situated on the Hubbard Brook-Tr river/stream and is under the jurisdiction of the state of Vermont. While it is not regulated by the state, Prison Pond is categorized as having a significant hazard potential. Despite not having a condition assessment rating, the dam has not been inspected since August 2006. It is crucial for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and advocate for the proper maintenance and inspection of dams like Prison Pond to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of water resources.
With its historical significance and functional importance for fire protection and wildlife conservation, Prison Pond stands as an emblem of early 20th-century engineering and environmental stewardship. As a concrete gravity dam with a buttress core type, it represents a blend of traditional and modern design. As the climate continues to change, the management and upkeep of such water structures become increasingly vital to adapt to extreme weather events and ensure sustainable water resource management 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 Prison Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 427 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 555 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 9,730 cfs | → |
| Black River At North Springfield | 271 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prison Pond.
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Vt 100 Plymouth
- Fishing Access Road Ludlow
- Lake Coniston (Long Pond) Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Quechee State Park
- Forest Campsite With Stream & Fire Ring
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Tree Farm Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
More reservoirs
Track Prison 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 Prison Pond
Where does the data for Prison 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 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 Prison Pond.