White Current dam
White Current
White Current, also known as Ottauquechee Woolen Mill, is a private hydroelectric dam located in Hartland, Vermont, along the Ottauquechee River. Constructed in 1900, this concrete dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a length of 215 feet. With a storage capacity of 129 acre-feet, White Current serves a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power, contributing to the renewable energy sector in the region.
The dam is under state jurisdiction and is not regulated or permitted by any state agency. Despite its age, White Current has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in July 2000, with no major issues reported. While the emergency action plan status and risk assessment details are not provided, the dam continues to operate safely and efficiently, offering a glimpse into Vermont's rich history of harnessing water resources for energy production.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, White Current represents a historic landmark in Vermont's hydroelectric infrastructure. Its location along the Ottauquechee River, within the Windsor County region, showcases the potential for sustainable energy generation from flowing water sources. As the state continues to explore renewable energy options, dams like White Current play a significant role in meeting the growing demand for clean electricity while preserving the natural environment.
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 White Current -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ottauquechee River At North Hartland | 658 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At West Lebanon | 24,000 cfs | → |
| White River At West Hartford | 2,330 cfs | → |
| Sugar River At West Claremont | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
| Black River At North Springfield | 521 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Current.
Boat launches
- Connecticut River Boat Launch
- Mascoma Lake Boat Launch
- George Pond Boat Launch
- Crystal Lake Boat Launch
- Mcdaniels Marsh Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track White Current 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 White Current
Where does the data for White Current 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 White Current.