Lake Rescue dam
Lake Rescue
Lake Rescue in Ludlow, Vermont, is a picturesque recreational spot nestled along the Black River. Managed by the local government, this concrete dam, completed in 1978, stands at a height of 14 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 3,550 acre-feet, making it an ideal destination for water enthusiasts. With a surface area of 180 acres and a drainage area of 35.72 square miles, Lake Rescue offers a tranquil setting for various water activities.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2016 revealed poor structural integrity, signaling the need for maintenance and improvements. The inspection frequency of every 10 years highlights the importance of regular monitoring to ensure the safety and longevity of the dam. While recreational purposes remain the primary focus, the state-regulated site also serves as a vital water resource in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Lake Rescue's significance as a recreational haven and water storage facility underscores the importance of sustainable management practices. With the potential for increased extreme weather events, maintaining the dam's structural integrity and implementing risk management measures will be crucial in safeguarding this valuable water asset for 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 Lake Rescue -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At North Springfield | 521 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 79 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 834 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 658 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Rescue.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Greendale Campground
- Greendale
- Horseshoe Acres Campground
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
Track Lake Rescue 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 Rescue
Where does the data for Lake Rescue 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 Rescue.