Lake Madeleine dam
Lake Madeleine
Lake Madeleine, located in Bennington, Vermont, is a private hydroelectric reservoir with a dam constructed in 1957 by Haley & Aldrich. The dam, primarily made of earth and stone, stands at a height of 65 feet and spans a length of 1700 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 873 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 35 acres and is fed by Hopper Brook, serving as a vital water resource in the region.
Despite its age, Lake Madeleine's dam is assessed to be in fair condition, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in 1978 revealed no major issues, and the dam is currently not regulated by the state. However, the owner is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep as it continues to provide hydroelectric power in the area. The reservoir's scenic location and historical significance make it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
As an important piece of Vermont's hydroelectric infrastructure, Lake Madeleine offers a glimpse into the region's renewable energy efforts and water management practices. With its picturesque setting and functional purpose, the reservoir serves as a reminder of the intersection between human innovation and environmental stewardship. For those interested in water resources and climate resilience, Lake Madeleine presents a unique opportunity to study the impact of hydroelectric power on local ecosystems and communities, making it a compelling destination for exploration and research.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Madeleine.
Boat launches
- Dufresne Pond Road Manchester
- Batten Kill Road Arlington
- Town Shed Road Manchester
- Gale Meadow Road Londonderry
- Cossayuna Lake
- Somerset
Campgrounds
- Camping On The Battenkill
- North Bourne Pond
- South Bourne Pond
- Stratton View Tenting Area
- Emerald Lake State Park
- Lake Lauderdale Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lake Madeleine 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 Lake Madeleine
Where does the data for Lake Madeleine 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 Lake Madeleine.