South Village Pond dam
South Village Pond
South Village Pond, also known as Benedict Pond or East Dorset Pond, is a private recreational water resource located in Dorset, Vermont. This masonry dam, completed in 1890, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 42 acre-feet. With a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 0.83 square miles, the pond offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and wildlife habitat.
Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, South Village Pond is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has been assessed to be in fair condition, with a significant hazard potential. In the event of an emergency, the pond lacks an Emergency Action Plan and updated contact information for response coordination, highlighting the need for improved risk assessment and management measures to safeguard this valuable water resource.
As a vital part of the local ecosystem and recreational space, South Village Pond serves as both a valuable water source and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Its historical significance, combined with its current condition and regulatory oversight, underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in ensuring the continued enjoyment and safety of this natural gem in the heart of Vermont.
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 South Village Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mettawee River Near Pawlet | 215 cfs | → |
| West River At Jamaica | 227 cfs | → |
| West River Below Townshend Dam Near Townshend | 46 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 312 cfs | → |
| Batten Kill Below Mill At Battenville Ny | 767 cfs | → |
| Walloomsac River Near North Bennington | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Village Pond.
Boat launches
- Town Shed Road Manchester
- Dufresne Pond Road Manchester
- Gale Meadow Road Londonderry
- Winhall Station Road Londonderry
- Ice House Road Londonderry
- Batten Kill Road Arlington
Campgrounds
- Emerald Lake State Park
- Hapgood Pond
- Hapgood Pond Recreation Area
- North Bourne Pond
- South Bourne Pond
- 279a Site #1
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Arlington, Vt To Manchester, Vt
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Batten Kill
- Lye Brook Wilderness Boundary To Confluence Of Batten Kill
- Headwaters To End Of Kendall Farm Road
- End Of Kendall Farm Road To Confluence With West River
- Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary
Track South Village 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 South Village Pond
Where does the data for South Village 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 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 South Village Pond.