Seymour Lake dam
Seymour Lake
Seymour Lake is a picturesque body of water located in Charleston, Vermont, nestled within the Orleans County. This private lake is primarily used for hydroelectric purposes, with a multi-arch dam structure that was completed in 1928. The dam stands at 12 feet tall and has a hydraulic height of 7 feet, providing a storage capacity of 5200 acre-feet and a surface area of 1777 acres. While the dam's hazard potential is classified as low, its condition assessment has not been rated, indicating a need for further evaluation.
The Clyde River-TR flows through Seymour Lake, contributing to its drainage area of 20.19 square miles. Despite being under state jurisdiction, the lake is not regulated, permitted, inspected, or enforced by any state agency. This lack of oversight raises questions about the lake's management and safety measures, as there is no information available on emergency action plans, risk assessments, or inundation maps. Given its historical significance as a hydroelectric resource, it is crucial for Seymour Lake to undergo thorough evaluations to ensure its sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.
As a hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Seymour Lake presents a unique opportunity to study the intersection of hydroelectric power generation and environmental conservation. With its serene surroundings and vital role in the local ecosystem, this lake serves as a captivating subject for further research on sustainable water management practices and the impact of climate change on freshwater resources. By addressing the gaps in its regulatory framework and conducting comprehensive assessments, Seymour Lake can continue to thrive as a valuable asset for both energy production and environmental preservation.
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 Seymour Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clyde River At Newport | 598 cfs | → |
| Black River At Coventry | 349 cfs | → |
| East Branch Passumpsic River Near East Haven | 155 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Stratford | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Missisquoi River Near North Troy | 316 cfs | → |
| Moose River At Victory | 222 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seymour Lake.
Boat launches
- Ten Mile Square Road Charleston
- State Route 111 Morgan
- State Route 105 Charleston
- Norton Lake Access Road 213, Warren's Gore
- Hayward Road Derby
- Newark Road Westmore
Campgrounds
- Brighton State Park
- Page
- Prouty Beach Campground
- Tree Corners Family Campground
- Burke Mountain Campground
- Millbrook Campground
Paddle runs
Track Seymour Lake 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 Seymour Lake
Where does the data for Seymour Lake 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 Seymour Lake.