May Pond dam
May Pond
May Pond, located in Orleans, Vermont, is a picturesque masonry dam structure built in 1900 primarily for water supply purposes. The dam stands at a height of 7 feet with a hydraulic height of 7 feet, providing a storage capacity of 325 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential but is currently in poor condition, last inspected in June 2011. The dam is regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
May Pond Brook serves as the primary source of water for the dam, with a drainage area of 1.7 square miles and a surface area of 116 acres. The dam's location in Barton, Vermont, adds to the charm of the surrounding landscape, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts. Being a local government-owned structure, May Pond plays a crucial role in supplying water to the community while also serving as a recreational spot for residents and visitors. Despite its current poor condition, efforts are likely underway to restore and maintain the dam's integrity for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.
With its historical significance and vital role in water supply, May Pond remains a valuable asset in the region. The dam's association with May Pond Brook and its contribution to the local water system highlight the importance of proper management and maintenance of such structures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, ensuring the safety and sustainability of dams like May Pond is paramount. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, local authorities, and the community will be essential in safeguarding this vital water resource and preserving its natural beauty for future generations to enjoy.
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 May Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Coventry | 637 cfs | → |
| East Branch Passumpsic River Near East Haven | 193 cfs | → |
| Clyde River At Newport | 563 cfs | → |
| Pope Brook (Site W-3) Nr. N. Danville | 12 cfs | → |
| Missisquoi River Near North Troy | 434 cfs | → |
| Moose River At Victory | 341 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near May Pond.
Boat launches
- Lake Street Barton
- Vt 5a Westmore
- South Beach Trail Westmore
- Access Lane Glover
- Newark Pond Road Newark
- Shadow Lake Road Glover
Campgrounds
- Page
- Tree Corners Family Campground
- Brighton State Park
- Prouty Beach Campground
- Burke Mountain Campground
- Millbrook Campground
Paddle runs
Track May Pond 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 May Pond
Where does the data for May Pond 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 May Pond.