Adams Reservoir dam
Adams Reservoir
Adams Reservoir, also known as Burrington, is a state-owned recreational water resource located in Woodford, Vermont. Built in 1948, this earth dam stands at 21 feet in height and spans 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 453 acre-feet and a surface area of 24 acres. Situated on Red Mill Pond Brook, Adams Reservoir offers a tranquil environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking amidst the picturesque surroundings of Bennington County.
Despite its recreational appeal, Adams Reservoir poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of 2015. The dam's inspection frequency is set at every three years, with the last assessment conducted in August 2015. While the reservoir's emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unclear, its regulatory oversight by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation ensures that necessary permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities are in place to safeguard the surrounding community in the event of a dam-related emergency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Adams Reservoir serves as a reminder of the critical role that proper infrastructure maintenance and risk assessment play in protecting both natural ecosystems and human populations. As efforts to enhance the dam's condition and emergency preparedness continue, this scenic reservoir stands as a testament to the delicate balance between conservation and recreation in Vermont's vibrant water landscape.
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 Adams Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 161 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Williamstown | 172 cfs | → |
| Green River At Williamstown | 70 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River Near Eagle Bridge Ny | 845 cfs | → |
| Hoosic River At Adams | 63 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 429 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Adams Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Fairview Avenue 298, Wilmington
- Somerset
- South Stream Access Area Road Pownal
- Pine Ridge Drive 27, Pownal
- State Fishing Access North Bennington
- Lake Raponda Road Wilmington
Campgrounds
- Woodford State Park
- Red Mill Brook
- Clarksburg State Park
- Grout Pond Recreation Area
- Molly Stark State Park Campsites
- Grout Pond
Track Adams 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 Adams Reservoir
Where does the data for Adams 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 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 Adams Reservoir.