Ricker Pond dam
Ricker Pond
Ricker Pond, located in Groton, Vermont, is a picturesque water resource nestled along the Wells River. Managed by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering visitors a serene environment for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam, constructed in 1900, is a concrete structure with a height of 8 feet and a length of 102 feet, providing a storage capacity of 850 acre-feet and a surface area of 92 acres.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Ricker Pond remains a safe and enjoyable destination for water and climate enthusiasts. The dam's inspection frequency of every 10 years ensures that it is regularly monitored and maintained to meet regulatory standards set by the state of Vermont. While the dam's primary purpose is for recreation, its role in water resource management and flood control along the Wells River cannot be understated. As a critical infrastructure, Ricker Pond contributes to the overall resilience of the surrounding ecosystem and supports a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial life.
As an essential part of the Caledonia County landscape, Ricker Pond serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and engage in water-based activities. The dam's historical significance, combined with its functional role in water storage and management, underscores the importance of preserving and maintaining this vital resource for future generations. Whether it's exploring the serene waters of Ricker Pond or simply enjoying the tranquil beauty of its surroundings, this site offers a unique opportunity for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics in a captivating natural setting.
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 Ricker Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wells River At Wells River | 241 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 27 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 5,320 cfs | → |
| Passumpsic River At Passumpsic | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Sleepers River (Site W-5) Near St. Johnsbury | 98 cfs | → |
| Pope Brook (Site W-3) Nr. N. Danville | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ricker Pond.
Boat launches
- Camp Road Peacham
- Peacham Pond Boat Ramp
- Taylor Road Peacham
- Molly's Pond Boat Launch
- Harveys Hollow Road Peacham
- North Pond Road Walden
Campgrounds
- Ricker Pond State Park
- Stillwater State Park
- Big Deer State Park
- New Discovery State Park
- Sugar Ridge Rv Resort
- Harkdale Farm Campsite
Paddle runs
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Headwaters To Folsom Brook
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Proclamation Boundary To Proclamation Boundary
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Source Above Fr 55 To Proclamation Boundary (Stony Brook)
More reservoirs
Track Ricker 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 Ricker Pond
Where does the data for Ricker 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 Low 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 Ricker Pond.