Sunset Lake dam
Sunset Lake
Sunset Lake, also known as Colts Pond, is a private water resource located in Orange County, Vermont. Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, this picturesque lake serves primarily for recreational purposes, attracting water and climate enthusiasts alike. Constructed in 1850, the dam on Sunset Lake stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, providing a serene getaway for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
With a surface area of 25 acres and a drainage area of 4.16 square miles, Sunset Lake offers a tranquil setting surrounded by the stunning landscape of Brookfield, Vermont. The dam, made of masonry and stone, has a multi-arch core and sits on a foundation of rock. Despite being assessed as in fair condition, the dam poses a significant hazard potential, prompting regular inspections every three years to ensure the safety of its structure and the surrounding environment.
While the last inspection in July 2015 found the dam to be in fair condition, continuous monitoring and maintenance are essential to mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of Sunset Lake. With its historical significance dating back to the 19th century, this private water resource remains a valuable asset for both recreation and conservation efforts in the region, offering a harmonious blend of natural beauty and environmental stewardship for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate.
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 Sunset Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ayers Brook At Randolph | 53 cfs | → |
| Dog River At Northfield Falls | 111 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 21 cfs | → |
| Winooski River At Montpelier | 571 cfs | → |
| Mad River Near Moretown | 228 cfs | → |
| North Branch Winooski River At Wrightsville | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset Lake.
Boat launches
- Vt 12 Brookfield
- Rood Pond Road Williamstown
- Sanders Road Bethel
- State Route 100b Moretown
- Justa Road Calais
- Blush Hill Road 2698, Waterbury
Campgrounds
- Allis State Park
- Yestermarrow Camp Ground
- Sparks Landing Primitive Campsite
- Bingo
- Chittenden Brook Campground
- Silver Lake State Park
Fishing spots
- Lefferts Pond Area
- Combination Pond
- Black Pond Access Point
- Heinburg Bridge Fishing Access Pier
- Moses Pond
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
- End Of Fs Road 243 To Neshobe River
More reservoirs
Track Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake
Where does the data for Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake.