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OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER
December 4, 2024
Total streamflow across the
Ottauquechee River
was last observed at
158
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
312
acre-ft of water today; about 27%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
576 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-07-13 when daily discharge volume was observed at
5,531 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Ottauquechee River At North Hartland
reporting a streamflow rate of 135 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater
with a gauge stage of 3.26 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Ottauquechee River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,160 ft, the
Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater.
The Ottauquechee River is a 41.4-mile-long tributary of the Connecticut River, located in Vermont's Windsor County. The river's name is derived from the Abenaki word meaning "place of swift water." Historically, the river played a significant role in the area's development, powering mills and factories during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The river is fed by several smaller streams and flows through several towns, including Woodstock and Quechee. The river's flow is regulated by several dams, including the Taftsville Dam and the Dewey Mills Dam. The Ottauquechee is a popular spot for recreational activities, including fishing, kayaking, and swimming, as well as agricultural use, with farms and orchards lining its banks.
TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)
| Last Updated | 2024-12-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 312 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
157.5 cfs
+49.3 cfs (+45.56%) |
| Percent of Normal | 27.34% |
| Maximum |
5,531.0 cfs
2023-07-13 |
| Seasonal Avg | 576 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ottauquechee River Near West Bridgewater
USGS 01150900 |
23 cfs | 3.26 ft | -3.02 | |||||
|
Ottauquechee River At North Hartland
USGS 01151500 |
135 cfs | 2.44 ft | 58.82 |
History of the River
The Ottauquechee River (pronounced AWT-ah-KWEE-chee) is a 41.4-mile-long (66.6 km) river in eastern Vermont in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound.
The Ottauquechee rises in the Green Mountains in eastern Rutland County in the town of Killington, and flows generally eastwardly into Windsor County, where it passes through or along the boundaries of the towns of Bridgewater, Woodstock, Pomfret, Hartford and Hartland; and the villages of Woodstock and Quechee. It joins the Connecticut River in the town of Hartland, about 4 miles (6 km) south-southwest of White River Junction.A headwaters tributary known as the North Branch Ottauquechee River flows southeastwardly through the towns of Killington and Bridgewater.Quechee State Park is located along the river near the village of Quechee. Near the river's mouth the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Hartland Dam impounds the river to form North Hartland Lake.Near the state park, the river flows through the 165-foot-deep (50 m) Quechee Gorge. The U.S. Rt. 4 bridge crosses over the gorge and provides good viewing down into its depths.[1]
In late August 2011, Hurricane Irene swept through the Ottauquechee River watershed, raising the water level in the river to far beyond its normal height. Houses and towns along the river were devastated.