Curtis Pond dam
Curtis Pond
Curtis Pond, located in Calais, Vermont, is a gravity dam structure built in 1900 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 120 feet, creating a surface area of 76 acres. It has a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and is regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The dam is situated on Curtis Pond Brook and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.
Despite its picturesque setting, Curtis Pond poses a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of July 2019. The dam is inspected every three years, with the last inspection taking place in June 2015. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 1.43 square miles, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety of the structure and the community downstream. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is crucial for stakeholders and regulatory agencies to work together to implement risk management measures and emergency action plans to mitigate any potential threats to the dam's integrity and surrounding areas.
With its historic significance and recreational value, Curtis Pond serves as a vital water resource in Washington County, Vermont. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the importance of proper dam maintenance, regular inspections, and emergency preparedness to safeguard the environment and local communities. By staying informed and actively engaged in the conservation efforts surrounding Curtis Pond, enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable management of this valuable water source for generations 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 Curtis Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 285 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Waterbury | 340 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 296 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 185 cfs | → |
| W Branch Little R Abv Bingham Falls Near Stowe | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Curtis Pond.
Boat launches
- Justa Road Calais
- G A R Road 285, Calais
- Nelson Pond Road Woodbury
- Molly's Pond Boat Launch
- Peacham Pond Boat Ramp
- Blush Hill Road 2698, Waterbury
Campgrounds
- New Discovery State Park
- Elmore State Park
- Lake Elmore State Park
- Big Deer State Park
- Stillwater State Park
- Primitive Campsite #21
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
More reservoirs
Track Curtis 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 Curtis Pond
Where does the data for Curtis 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 Curtis Pond.