Lower Orange Reservoir dam
Lower Orange Reservoir
Lower Orange Reservoir, also known as Large Orange, is a vital water supply reservoir located in Orange, Vermont. Owned and regulated by the local government, this reservoir has a dam height of 33 feet and was completed in 1910. With a storage capacity of 168 acre-feet, it serves the primary purpose of water supply for the region, drawing water from the Orange Brook.
This earth dam structure, with a stone core and soil foundation, covers a surface area of 9 acres and has a drainage area of 10.94 square miles. Despite its age, Lower Orange Reservoir is deemed to have low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in June 2014. The reservoir plays a crucial role in the water management system of the area, ensuring a reliable water supply for the community while adhering to state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower Orange Reservoir stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices in Vermont. With its historical significance dating back over a century, this reservoir continues to provide essential water supply services while maintaining a fair condition and low hazard potential. As climate change impacts water resources globally, the careful monitoring and regulation of reservoirs like Lower Orange are crucial in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water systems in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Lower Orange Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 27 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 185 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 285 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 296 cfs | → |
| Wells River At Wells River | 241 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Orange Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Rood Pond Road Williamstown
- Vt 12 Brookfield
- Peacham Pond Boat Ramp
- Camp Road Peacham
- Molly's Pond Boat Launch
- Justa Road Calais
Campgrounds
- Ricker Pond State Park
- Stillwater State Park
- Big Deer State Park
- New Discovery State Park
- Allis State Park
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Confluence With Alder Creek To Confluence With Middlebury River
- Headwaters To End Of Fs Road 243
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
Track Lower Orange Reservoir 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 Lower Orange Reservoir
Where does the data for Lower Orange Reservoir 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 Lower Orange Reservoir.