Parsons Mill dam
Parsons Mill
Parsons Mill, also known as Bush Pond, Mill Pond, Needhams Mill, and Parsons Mill Pond, is a private water resource located in Benson, Vermont. Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, this dam on the Hubbardton River serves primarily for recreational purposes and was completed in 1900. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 135 feet, Parsons Mill offers a surface area of 39 acres and a drainage area of 22 square miles.
Despite its historical significance and low hazard potential, Parsons Mill is currently in poor condition as indicated by the last inspection in August 2017. The dam's poor condition raises concerns about its long-term structural integrity and highlights the need for further maintenance and improvements. With its unique concrete construction and rock foundation, Parsons Mill remains a key feature in the local landscape, providing both recreational opportunities and potential challenges for water resource and climate enthusiasts to consider and address in the future.
As a part of the New York District, Parsons Mill stands as a reminder of the importance of properly managing and maintaining our water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. Its presence on the Hubbardton River not only contributes to the local ecosystem but also serves as a valuable site for studying the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and recreational use. Moving forward, ensuring the safety and sustainability of Parsons Mill will require continued attention and investment in maintaining its infrastructure and addressing any potential risks associated with its deteriorating condition.
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 Parsons Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 352 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 643 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 263 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parsons Mill.
Boat launches
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Lake Road 4819, Benson
- Orwell
- Sudbury
- Mount Independence Road Orwell
- Chipman Point Road Orwell
Campgrounds
- Half Moon Pond State Park
- Bomoseen State Park
- Rogers Rock - Dec
- Country Village Campground
- St. Catherine State Park
- Putnam Pond - Dec
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Parsons Mill 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 Parsons Mill
Where does the data for Parsons Mill 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 Parsons Mill.