Upper Chester Reservoir dam
Upper Chester Reservoir
Upper Chester Reservoir, located in Chester, Vermont, is a vital water resource managed by the local government with oversight from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Built in 1915 along the Williams River, this earth dam stands at 20 feet high and spans 220 feet in length, providing storage of up to 46 acre-feet of water. Despite its historical significance, the reservoir's condition assessment in 2015 rated it as poor with a significant hazard potential, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance.
The primary purpose of Upper Chester Reservoir extends beyond water storage, serving as a recreational area for locals and visitors alike. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 0.6 square miles, the reservoir offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. However, the dam's poor condition raises concerns about its long-term sustainability and safety, prompting the need for continued monitoring and potential rehabilitation efforts to ensure the community's water supply and recreational enjoyment are safeguarded.
As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure, Upper Chester Reservoir remains a critical asset that requires proactive management and investment. With state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, the reservoir's future resilience hinges on collaborative efforts between local authorities, environmental agencies, and the community. By addressing the dam's structural issues, enhancing emergency preparedness, and implementing risk management measures, Upper Chester Reservoir can adapt to evolving climate challenges and continue to provide essential water services and recreational opportunities for generations to come.
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 Upper Chester Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At North Springfield | 300 cfs | → |
| Williams River Near Rockingham Vt | 197 cfs | → |
| Saxtons River At Saxtons River | 19 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 419 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At North Walpole | 18,700 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 698 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Chester Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Ice House Road Londonderry
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Winhall Station Road Londonderry
- Fishing Access Road Ludlow
- Gale Meadow Road Londonderry
Campgrounds
- Horseshoe Acres Campground
- Tree Farm Campground
- Greendale Campground
- Greendale
- Winhall Brook
- 279a Site #1
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
- Headwaters To First Bridge Upstream On Route 100
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To End Of Kendall Farm Road
Track Upper Chester 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 Upper Chester Reservoir
Where does the data for Upper Chester 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 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 Upper Chester Reservoir.