North Hartland Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Hartland Dam |
|
|---|---|
North Hartland Dam
|
|
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 43°36′17.78″N 72°21′38.02″W / 43.6049389°N 72.3605611°W |
The North Hartland Dam is an important structure located in Hartland, Vermont, within Windsor County, Vermont. It helps protect the area from floods.
Contents
About the North Hartland Dam
The North Hartland Dam is a special type of dam called an earthen dam. This means it is built mostly from compacted earth, rock, and clay. It was built a long time ago, between 1958 and 1961.
The dam stands about 182 feet (55 m) (55 meters) tall. It stretches for about 1,640 feet (500 m) (500 meters) across the land. This huge wall holds back the water of the Ottauquechee River.
Who Built and Runs It?
The dam was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a group from the U.S. Army that works on big building projects. They are experts at building things like dams and waterways.
Today, the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still owns and operates the dam. Their main job is to make sure the dam works well. They keep the area safe from floods.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The main reason for building the North Hartland Dam was to control floods. When there is a lot of rain or snowmelt, rivers can overflow. This causes floods that can damage homes and land.
The dam helps by holding back extra water during heavy storms. It stores this water in a lake behind it. Later, the water is slowly released in a controlled way. This prevents the river from flooding towns downstream.
North Hartland Lake
The dam creates a lake called North Hartland Lake. This lake is a "riverine reservoir," which means it's a lake formed by a dam on a river.
The lake's surface usually covers about 215 acres (87 ha) (87 hectares). It can hold a very large amount of water, especially during big storms.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
North Hartland Lake is not just for flood control. It's also a great place for outdoor activities! Many people visit the lake to have fun.
In the warmer months, you can go fishing for different types of fish. Swimming is also popular on hot days. Boating is another favorite activity on the lake.
When winter comes, the lake area transforms into a snowy playground. You can enjoy snowmobiling, which is riding a special vehicle over the snow. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular ways to explore the snowy trails.
