Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond dam
Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond
Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond, also known as Bear Creek Snowmaking Reservoir, is a privately owned water resource nestled in the picturesque city of Plymouth, Vermont. Constructed in 2014 by designer Morris Root, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 450 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 13 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this reservoir is for recreation, specifically for snowmaking activities in the winter season, making it a vital resource for climate enthusiasts and winter sports enthusiasts alike.
Located along the Black River in Windsor County, Vermont, Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond is state-regulated and subject to regular inspections by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2016 deemed it to be in fair condition. Although the reservoir's normal storage capacity is listed as zero, its maximum storage capacity remains at 13 acre-feet, providing ample water resources for snowmaking operations.
With a surface area of 1.4 acres and a drainage area of 0.02 square miles, Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond plays a crucial role in supporting recreational activities in the region while also being a significant water resource for the community. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and appreciate the importance of such structures, Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond stands as a testament to the careful planning and design needed to sustainably manage water resources for both recreational and environmental purposes.
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 Plymouth Notch Snowmaking 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 | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 419 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 436 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond.
Boat launches
- Vt 100 Plymouth
- Fishing Access Road Ludlow
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Ice House Road Londonderry
Campgrounds
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Greendale Campground
- Greendale
- Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
- Little Rock Pond/Green Mountain Loop
Fishing spots
Track Plymouth Notch Snowmaking 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 Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond
Where does the data for Plymouth Notch Snowmaking 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 Plymouth Notch Snowmaking Pond.