Spruce Lake Dam (Spruce Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Spruce Lake
Other Name: KERSCHNER
NID ID: VT00127
Longitude: -72.83881
Latitude: 42.85307
County: WINDHAM
River: BEAVER BROOK-TR
State: VT
Nearest City: Wilmington
Owner Name: SPRUCE LAKE ASSOCIATION
Owner Type: Private
Dam Designer: W.E. SCHUMWAY
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Earth (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: SK
Purposes: Recreation
Year Completed: 1970
Dam Length: 200 feet
Dam Height: 20 feet
Maximum Discharge: 230 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 165 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 75 acre-feet
Surface Area: 15 acres
Drainage Area: 1.6 square miles
Hazard Potential: Significant
Emergency Action Plan? Not Required By Submitting Agency
Inspection Date: 2006-07-14
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: DEC
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Federal Funding Agency: KERSCHNER
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




Quick Links
Spruce Lake News
Spruce Lake Photos
Spruce Lake Videos




About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Search Site
Advertise With Us
   
Spruce.LakesOnline.com
THE SPRUCE LAKE WEBSITE

Copyright 2024, Lakes Online
Privacy    |    Legal