Newbury Water Supply (Lower) dam
Newbury Water Supply (Lower)
The Newbury Water Supply (Lower) dam in Vermont, completed in 1890, plays a crucial role in providing water to the local community. Situated on the Connecticut River, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a storage capacity of 33 acre-feet, serving as a vital resource for water supply purposes. However, despite its historical significance, the dam has been assessed to be in poor condition, raising concerns about its ability to function effectively in the long term.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the Newbury Water Supply (Lower) dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and reliability. With a low hazard potential but a poor condition assessment, there is a need for ongoing maintenance and potentially rehabilitation efforts to address any structural deficiencies and mitigate risks associated with the dam. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the importance of maintaining and upgrading such vital water supply structures becomes even more critical.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of dams like the Newbury Water Supply (Lower) in sustaining communities and ecosystems. By advocating for proper maintenance and investment in infrastructure, we can help ensure the resilience of these essential water supply systems in the face of changing environmental conditions and growing water demands. The preservation and enhancement of the Newbury dam will not only safeguard water access for the local population but also contribute to broader efforts towards sustainable water management and climate adaptation.
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 Water Supply (Lower) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wells River At Wells River | 207 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Wells River | 4,490 cfs | → |
| East Orange Branch At East Orange | 26 cfs | → |
| Pemigewasset River At Woodstock | 687 cfs | → |
| East Branch Pemigewasset River At Lincoln | 465 cfs | → |
| Ompompanoosuc River At Union Village | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Newbury Water Supply (Lower).
Boat launches
- French Pond Boat Launch
- Oliverian Boating Site
- Olivarian Road 99, Benton
- Armington Lake Boat Launch
- Indian Pond Boat Launch
- Upper Baker Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Harkdale Farm Campsite
- Bugbee Landing Campsite
- Underhill Campsite
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Ore Hill Tentsite
- Hexacuba Shelter
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 Water Supply (Lower) 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 Water Supply (Lower)
Where does the data for Newbury Water Supply (Lower) 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 Newbury Water Supply (Lower).