North Branch Dam dam
North Branch Dam
North Branch Dam in Windsor, Vermont, is a federally-owned earth dam completed in 1960 primarily for recreation purposes along the North Branch Black River. Standing at 75 feet tall and 900 feet long, the dam has a storage capacity of 7200 acre-feet and a drainage area of 29 square miles. The dam poses a high hazard potential, with a risk assessment classifying it as moderate due to potential water seepage through the embankment leading to structural weaknesses. In the event of a dam failure, an uncontrolled surge of water could impact surrounding areas, including North Springfield Lake.
To manage these risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) actively monitors the dam's condition, implements maintenance and repair measures as needed, and collaborates with local emergency managers to develop and update emergency action plans. USACE also engages with the public to raise awareness about the dam and ensure readiness in case of a dam-related emergency. Despite the low likelihood of a dam failure, these proactive risk management measures aim to protect communities downstream and mitigate potential impacts in the event of a catastrophic event at North Branch Dam.
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 North Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At North Springfield | 521 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 263 cfs | → |
| Saxtons River At Saxtons River | 19 cfs | → |
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 658 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 30,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Branch Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
- Tree Farm Campground
- Mt. Ascutney State Park
- Horseshoe Acres Campground
- Calvin Coolidge State Park
- Greendale Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Crossing Of Route 100 Near Route 155
- Confluence With Otter Creek To Ten Kilns Brook
- First Bridge Upstream On Route 100 To Confluence With West River
- South Wallington To Emerald Lake
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- Headwaters To Woodstock, Vt
Track North Branch Dam 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 North Branch Dam
Where does the data for North Branch Dam 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 High 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 North Branch Dam.