Townshend Dam dam
Townshend Dam
Townshend Dam, also known as Townshend Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Windham, Vermont. Constructed in 1961 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 126 feet and spans 1700 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 54,300 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Townshend Dam is flood risk reduction, but it also serves hydroelectric and recreational purposes, providing a surface area of 95 acres for various activities.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Townshend Dam plays a critical role in mitigating flood risks for the surrounding area. With a high hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. The emergency action plan is regularly updated, and risk management measures are in place to monitor and address potential threats, working in collaboration with local emergency managers and the community to prepare for any dam-related emergencies.
Despite the measures in place, there is a continued recognition that dams cannot eliminate all flood risks, especially during severe weather events that may overwhelm the system. USACE remains vigilant in managing these risks and ensuring the safety and well-being of those living downstream of Townshend Dam.
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 Townshend Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West River Below Townshend Dam Near Townshend | 46 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 348 cfs | → |
| Saxtons River At Saxtons River | 19 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 18,000 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 175 cfs | → |
| Ashuelot River Below Surry Mt Dam | 354 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Townshend Dam.
Boat launches
- Winhall Station Road Londonderry
- Gale Meadow Road Londonderry
- Ice House Road Londonderry
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Somerset
Campgrounds
- Townshend State Park
- Jamaica State Park
- Winhall Brook
- Grout Pond
- Grout Pond Recreation Area
- Stratton View Tenting Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To End Of Kendall Farm Road
- Headwaters To Proclamation Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Townshend Dam 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 Townshend Dam
Where does the data for Townshend Dam 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 High 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 Townshend Dam.