Blodgett dam
Blodgett
Blodgett, a private dam located in Orange, Vermont, is a recreational site built by the USDA NRCS in 1965 along Roaring Brook. This earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet with a length of 585 feet, providing a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. However, despite its significant hazard potential, Blodgett is currently rated as in poor condition, last assessed in July 2018.
Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Blodgett is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspections, and enforcement. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk. It is noted that the dam is in need of attention due to its poor condition and significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of ongoing management and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
With its location in the New England District and under the responsibility of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Blodgett serves as not only a recreational spot but also a critical infrastructure requiring regular inspections and risk management measures. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates may find interest in monitoring the condition and operation of Blodgett to ensure its continued safety and functionality in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Blodgett -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wells River At Wells River | 207 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 4,490 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 26 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| Baker River Near Rumney | 367 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 687 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blodgett.
Boat launches
- Indian Pond Boat Launch
- French Pond Boat Launch
- Armington Lake Boat Launch
- Oliverian Boating Site
- Olivarian Road 99, Benton
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
- Underhill Campsite
- Harkdale Farm Campsite
- Ore Hill Tentsite
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Hexacuba Shelter
Paddle runs
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
Track Blodgett 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 Blodgett
Where does the data for Blodgett 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 Blodgett.