Lake Clara dam
Lake Clara
Lake Clara, a privately owned water resource in Whitingham, Vermont, is a picturesque recreational spot constructed in 1928 with a primary purpose of providing leisure activities for enthusiasts. This Earth dam stands at 33 feet high with a length of 370 feet, creating a storage capacity of 325 acre-feet. Despite its modest size with a surface area of 15 acres, Lake Clara plays a vital role in the local ecosystem as a key water body in Windham County.
Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Lake Clara is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential due to its proximity to the LAKE SADAWGA-TR river system, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2020. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are currently under review, highlighting the importance of preparedness and safety protocols for this recreational water resource.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Clara serves as a fascinating case study of a historic dam site that continues to provide both recreational enjoyment and environmental significance. Its location within the New England District and maintenance by state regulators reflect a commitment to balancing conservation efforts with public access to natural resources. As discussions around water management and climate resilience continue to evolve, Lake Clara stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices in preserving our valuable water bodies 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 Lake Clara -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield River At Charlemont | 294 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Colrain | 71 cfs | → |
| North River At Shattuckville | 116 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 195 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 76 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Clara.
Boat launches
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
- Somerset
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- Ashton Avenue North Adams
Campgrounds
- Molly Stark State Park Campsites
- Molly Stark State Park
- Red Mill Brook
- Woodford State Park
- Clarksburg State Park
- Mohawk Trail State Forest
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To North Of Searsburg Reservoir
- Stamford Town Line To Confluence With City Stream
- Headwaters To Confluence With West River (End Of Sherman Road)
- First Bridge To Walloomsac Brook
- Headwaters To First Bridge
- Woodford To Woodford Hollow
More reservoirs
Track Lake Clara 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 Clara
Where does the data for Lake Clara 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 Lake Clara.