Melcher dam
Melcher
Melcher, located in Rutland, Vermont, is a privately owned recreational dam designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at 22 feet high and spans 282 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 206 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition has been assessed as poor, with the last inspection conducted in 2014 and a risk assessment rating of moderate.
The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, serving the local community in Wells and providing opportunities for outdoor activities. With a drainage area of 0.46 square miles and a spillway type designated as uncontrolled, Melcher presents a unique blend of structural design and natural elements. While the dam may require improvements to meet safety standards and mitigate risks, its presence adds to the environmental and recreational landscape of the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
As a vital part of the water infrastructure in Vermont, Melcher serves as a focal point for discussions on dam safety, risk management, and environmental stewardship. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, the dam provides a case study for balancing the benefits of water resources for recreation with the need for maintaining infrastructure integrity. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources, climate resilience, and recreational opportunities, Melcher offers a compelling example of the complexities and challenges faced in managing our natural landscapes.
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 Melcher -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 244 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 311 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 606 cfs | → |
| Hudson River At Fort Edward Ny | 2,880 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater | 106 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Melcher.
Boat launches
- West Lake Road Wells
- Kinni Kinnic Lane Poultney
- Skenesborough Drive 4, Whitehall
- South Bay State Boat Launch
- Cossayuna Lake
- Town Shed Road Manchester
Campgrounds
- St. Catherine State Park
- Little Rock Pond/Green Mountain Loop
- Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
- Bomoseen State Park
- Emerald Lake State Park
- Half Moon Pond State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- Arlington, Vt To Manchester, Vt
- Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary To Confluence Of Batten Kill
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Batten Kill
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
More reservoirs
Track Melcher 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 Melcher
Where does the data for Melcher 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 Melcher.