Colchester Pond dam
Colchester Pond
Colchester Pond, located in Chittenden, Vermont, is a picturesque water resource maintained for recreational purposes. Constructed in 1965 by WHITMAN & HOWARD, this private concrete dam stands at a height of 25 feet, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet. The pond covers a surface area of 182 acres and has a drainage area of 1.82 square miles, making it a significant water body in the region.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Colchester Pond is classified as having a significant hazard potential. The dam has a storage capacity of 3,260 acre-feet and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam is regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its structural integrity and safety for visitors.
With its tranquil setting and diverse ecosystem, Colchester Pond is not only a recreational hotspot but also a vital water resource for the surrounding area. As climate enthusiasts, it's important to recognize the importance of maintaining and preserving such natural assets in the face of changing environmental conditions. By staying informed and advocating for responsible management practices, we can help protect and sustain this valuable resource for future generations to enjoy.
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 Colchester Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winooski River Near Essex Junction | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Englesby Brook At Burlington | 15 cfs | → |
| Potash Br @ Queen City Park Rd | 116 cfs | → |
| Lamoille River At East Georgia | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Laplatte River At Shelburne Falls | 53 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Colchester Pond.
Boat launches
- Indian Brook Loop Trail Essex
- Pearl Street Essex Junction
- Abare Lane Milton
- Burlington Waterfront Boat Ramp
- Featherbed Lane South Hero
- Highbridge Road 3065, Georgia
Campgrounds
- Scouts Point
- North Beach
- Appletree Bay Campground
- Grand Isle State Park
- Underhill State Park
- Primitive Campsite 19
Track Colchester Pond 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 Colchester Pond
Where does the data for Colchester Pond 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 Colchester Pond.