Hello Neighbors – What follows is intended to inform but not frighten. We want to share information so that we can be prepared, work together, and care for each other and our neighbors.
We are all aware that the flooding which impacted our community in July of both 2023 and 2024 has left its marks and stresses on our infrastructure. When July 2023 flooding destroyed the Saw Mill Dam in lower Cabot, it also raised concerns about the long-term stability of the privately owned West Hill Pond Dam. The Selectboard had the Dam inspected for safety at that time.
After the July 10th 2024 flooding, the Town once again requested a visit from the State of Vermont Dam Safety Team. Two engineers came to Cabot, we received their report his week, and we wanted to share important information with you.
The West Hill Pond Dam is in need of repairs. The Dam holds back approximately 50 acres of water 10-12 feet deep in most places. The Dam is NOT in imminent danger of failure under normal circumstances and normal precipitation patterns. We are working with the property owners and the State Safety Team to plan for repairs -both immediate and longer term- but that will take some time.
And…we have a potentially heavy weather systems moving in our direction. This is tropical storm Debby, which is currently carrying a lot of rain. It is impossible to know the final track of the storm as it approaches our area on Friday and Saturday, or how much rain it will be carrying when (or if) it arrives. If we receive several inches of rain, it could put the Dam under pressure. We hope that it will be fine….but, if the West Hill Pond Dam fails, we want you to know what to expect.
Please review the ‘inundation maps’ attached to this message. The expected impact if we were to have a failure largely pertains to infrastructure – think roads, bridges and culverts. The water would rise, and recede, quickly- likely within six to eight hours.
Cabot’s Emergency Management Team will be meeting to develop a notification plan so that if we do have an event at the West Hill Pond Dam we can share that information as broadly and effectively as possible.
We will share the notification plan, monitoring information, and weather forecasts as we get closer to the weekend.
We will get through this, and -as we always do- we will take care of each another and this Town we love. We are Cabot Strong.
In Community, -Mike, Skip, Fred, RD, and Karen.