Middle Brook dam
Middle Brook
Middle Brook is a privately owned dam located in West Fairlee, Vermont, on the Middle Brook river. Built in 1948 by Mr. Beebe, the Earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 215 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 185 acre-feet. While primarily used for recreational purposes, the dam is also state-regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, with regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Middle Brook dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in 2015. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are not clear from the available data, raising concerns about its ability to handle emergencies and ensure public safety. With its location in a scenic and environmentally sensitive area, the proper maintenance and management of Middle Brook dam are crucial for both water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates who value the preservation of natural habitats and the sustainable use of water resources in Vermont.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, there is a need to advocate for the proper maintenance and management of Middle Brook dam to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, there are concerns about the dam's ability to handle emergencies and protect the surrounding environment. By staying informed and engaged in the oversight of this vital water infrastructure, enthusiasts can help promote sustainable water resource management practices and protect the natural beauty of Orange County, Vermont, 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 Middle Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 27 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Wells River At Wells River | 253 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 5,990 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 7,890 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Brook.
Boat launches
- Post Pond Boat Launch
- Indian Pond Boat Launch
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Lower Baker Pond Boat Launch
- Reservoir Pond Boat Launch
- Armington Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Roaring Brook Campsite
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
- Underhill Campsite
- Hexacuba Shelter
- Trapper John Shelter
- Smarts Mountain Campsite
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 At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
More reservoirs
Track Middle Brook 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 Middle Brook
Where does the data for Middle Brook 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 Middle Brook.