Thurman W. Dix Reservoir dam
Thurman W. Dix Reservoir
Thurman W. Dix Reservoir, also known as Lords Mill, is a gravity dam located in Orange, Vermont, along the Orange Brook river. Completed in 1950, this reservoir serves as a crucial water supply for the region, with a storage capacity of 2280 acre-feet and a surface area of 119 acres. The dam stands at 50 feet in height and spans 920 feet in length, making it a significant structure for water management in the area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Thurman W. Dix Reservoir has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam is equipped with outlet gates for controlled water release, and it undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, the reservoir continues to play a key role in providing water for the community and maintaining the local water supply infrastructure.
With its historical significance and vital role in water resource management, Thurman W. Dix Reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water supply systems in the face of changing climate patterns. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the efforts put into ensuring the resilience and safety of such essential structures to meet the needs of both current and future generations.
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 Thurman W. Dix Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 26 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 841 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 155 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 166 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 247 cfs | → |
| Wells River At Wells River | 207 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thurman W. Dix Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Rood Pond Road Williamstown
- Vt 12 Brookfield
- Peacham Pond Boat Ramp
- Camp Road Peacham
- Molly's Pond Boat Launch
- Justa Road Calais
Campgrounds
- Ricker Pond State Park
- Stillwater State Park
- Big Deer State Park
- New Discovery State Park
- Allis State Park
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
Fishing spots
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
Track Thurman W. Dix Reservoir 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 Thurman W. Dix Reservoir
Where does the data for Thurman W. Dix Reservoir 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 High 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 Thurman W. Dix Reservoir.