Lake Fairlee dam
Lake Fairlee
Lake Fairlee, located in Thetford, Vermont, is a picturesque body of water with a concrete dam completed in 1939 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 184 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 4,800 acre-feet. With a surface area of 463 acres and a drainage area of 20.28 square miles, the lake is a popular spot for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Fairlee is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, and its condition assessment as of August 2020 was deemed satisfactory. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, providing a tranquil setting for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming.
Surrounded by the beauty of Orange County, Lake Fairlee is not only a man-made reservoir but also a haven for wildlife and a vital part of the local ecosystem. With its serene waters and lush surroundings, this lake exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate patterns. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Fairlee serves as a symbol of the importance of responsible stewardship of our natural resources 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 Lake Fairlee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,640 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 27 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 7,890 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 458 cfs | → |
| Wells River At Wells River | 253 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Fairlee.
Boat launches
- Post Pond Boat Launch
- Indian Pond Boat Launch
- Reservoir Pond Boat Launch
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Lower Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Roaring Brook Campsite
- Trapper John Shelter
- Underhill Campsite
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
- Patchen's Point
- Hexacuba Shelter
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
Track Lake Fairlee 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 Lake Fairlee
Where does the data for Lake Fairlee 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 Lake Fairlee.