Lefferts Pond Dam dam
Lefferts Pond Dam
Lefferts Pond Dam, located in Chittenden, Vermont, is a historic stone dam completed in 1909 with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. This Federal-owned structure on East Creek is managed by the Forest Service and spans 100 feet in length, with a height of 16 feet and a hydraulic height of 17 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 440 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam underwent structural modifications in 2010 to ensure its continued safety and functionality. With a very high risk assessment rating of 1, Lefferts Pond Dam is closely monitored by the Forest Service, with inspections conducted every 10 years. The dam serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife habitat, recreational activities, and water storage, making it a vital asset for the local ecosystem and community.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Lefferts Pond Dam as a key feature in the landscape of Rutland County, Vermont. With its historic significance, hydroelectric capabilities, and importance for fish and wildlife conservation, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and environmental stewardship in the region. The Forest Service's ongoing efforts to maintain and monitor the dam demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and safety, ensuring that Lefferts Pond Dam continues to serve its various functions for years to come.
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 Lefferts Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 51 cfs | → |
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 54 cfs | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lefferts Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Chittenden Dam Access Road Chittenden
- Willowbrook Road Sudbury
- Sudbury
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Sanders Road Bethel
- Vt 100 Plymouth
Campgrounds
- Gifford Woods State Park
- Chittenden Brook
- Chittenden Brook Campground
- Bingo
- Country Village Campground
- Silver Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lefferts Pond 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 Lefferts Pond Dam
Where does the data for Lefferts Pond 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 Low 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 Lefferts Pond Dam.