Cavendish dam
Cavendish
Cavendish is a concrete gravity dam located on the Black River in Windsor, Vermont. Built in 1907, this hydroelectric dam stands at 46 feet tall and has a length of 230 feet. With a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a drainage area of 82 square miles, Cavendish serves as an essential source of renewable energy in the region.
Despite its age, Cavendish has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years and last received an inspection in 1997. While it is not state-regulated or permitted, Cavendish continues to operate safely and effectively, providing a valuable contribution to the local energy grid.
As a public utility dam, Cavendish plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the Black River for hydroelectric purposes. With its unique multi-arch design and rock foundation, this historic structure stands as a testament to Vermont's commitment to sustainable energy sources. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cavendish offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of technology, nature, and renewable energy production in the beautiful New England landscape.
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 Cavendish -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At North Springfield | 521 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 263 cfs | → |
| Saxtons River At Saxtons River | 19 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 79 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 30,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cavendish.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Horseshoe Acres Campground
- Tree Farm Campground
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Greendale Campground
- Greendale
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
Track Cavendish 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 Cavendish
Where does the data for Cavendish 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 Cavendish.