Newbury dam
Newbury
The Newbury Dam, also known as Adams Paper Co. Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Wells River, Vermont. Completed in 1912, this concrete gravity dam serves primarily for hydroelectric purposes on the Wells River. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 90 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3200 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Newbury Dam has an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 73 feet. The dam has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk level. It is not currently under state regulation or inspection but is subject to federal oversight. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in April 2019, indicating a commitment to safety and preparedness.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Orange County, Vermont, may find the Newbury Dam an intriguing structure due to its historical significance and hydroelectric function. The dam's association with the Wells River and its impact on the surrounding area's water resources make it a focal point for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. With its unique design and operational details, the Newbury Dam offers a case study for studying the complexities of managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Newbury -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wells River At Wells River | 241 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 5,320 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 27 cfs | → |
| Passumpsic River At Passumpsic | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Sleepers River (Site W-5) Near St. Johnsbury | 98 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 539 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Newbury .
Boat launches
- French Pond Boat Launch
- Lyman Road Lyman
- Olivarian Road 99, Benton
- Oliverian Boating Site
- Camp Road Peacham
- Partridge Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Harkdale Farm Campsite
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
- Ricker Pond State Park
- Underhill Campsite
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Wildwood Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
Track Newbury 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 Newbury
Where does the data for Newbury 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 Newbury .