Cavendish Gorge
Conditions
Swim: not recommended. Conditions for Cavendish Gorge (Black River) near Cavendish: NWS at the pin and—when configured—USGS trend at the Cavendish gage. Dam infrastructure and hydropower corridors add hazard—never treat the graph as a swim OK.
On this page
Snapshot
Quick read for weather, water, trail, and season.
Weather and river readings may show recent public-service data; other fields stay from the guide for this place.
Weather
Mostly Clear, 30°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Apr 7, 1:05 AM.
Rain read
Rain chance in the next several hours may reach about 52% in that outlook.
Compare with the forecast you use for travel.
River flow
577 cfs
BLACK RIVER AT NORTH SPRINGFIELD, VT · updated Apr 7, 12:30 AM · USGS
Clarity
Varies
Storm runoff adds color; calm weather often clears surface water.
Crowd & parking
Plan ahead
Hot days stack people and cars—have a backup plan.
Approach
Uneven natural tread
Roots, gravel, and slick stone are normal near the water.
Setting
Cavendish
Northern forest and river-edge mix typical of Vermont.
Timing
Earlier often calmer
Midday heat and weekends add use.
Mosquitoes
Seasonal
Repellent evenings.
Ticks
Check after
Brush and grass near banks.
Daily pulse
Match forecast, any live gage, and what you see at the water
Cold moving water; slippery bedrock and moss common. Current and debris increase after storms. No lifeguards—supervise children within reach and avoid dam infrastructure and posted hazard zones.
Air & rain
| Time | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 30°F | 3% chance |
| 1:00 AM | 29°F | 4% chance |
| 2:00 AM | 29°F | 6% chance |
| 3:00 AM | 28°F | 12% chance |
| 4:00 AM | 27°F | 20% chance |
| 5:00 AM | 27°F | 27% chance |
| 6:00 AM | 26°F | 29% chance |
| 7:00 AM | 28°F | 31% chance |
| 8:00 AM | 29°F | 32% chance |
| 9:00 AM | 31°F | 32% chance |
| 10:00 AM | 35°F | 42% chance |
| 11:00 AM | 36°F | 52% chance |
Overnight
Chance Snow Showers
~26°F
Tuesday
Chance Snow Showers then Rain And Snow Showers Likely
~42°F
Tuesday Night
Mostly Clear
~17°F
Wednesday
Sunny
~48°F
Wednesday Night
Mostly Clear
~27°F
Pair regional radar with hourly/daily tables when NWS loads. Live forecast: National Weather Service.
Water
Where the reading comes from
USGS 01153000 · Black River at North Springfield, VT (proxy trend for gorge)
Proxy / same river (Black River): discharge is read at USGS 01153000—Black River at North Springfield, VT—upstream of the gorge recreation reach. Use only for basin runoff trend; not depth, speed, or a safe-to-swim signal at the gorge—read the water on site.
How to use it
577 cfs
BLACK RIVER AT NORTH SPRINGFIELD, VT · USGS · updated Apr 7, 12:30 AM
Clarity
Storm-dependent
Heavy rain often adds color and debris.
Flow trend
Watch the live curve when loaded
Pair with color, sound, and debris at the bank.
Rain outlook
Check your forecast
Thunderstorms can change rivers quickly.
Recent rain
Weigh gage + bank
Mud lines and noise are field clues.
People
Parking
See access summary
Recreation summaries for **Cavendish Gorge** on the **Black River** describe short foot access near the historic hydropower corridor off **VT Route 131** (parking and posting change—read **Cavendish Connects** and any DE
Approach
Varies by access
Multiple entries may exist along a corridor—read each stop.
In the water
No lifeguards
Supervise children within reach in moving water.
Approach
Footing
Natural tread
Closed-toe shoes with grip beat smooth soles.
If the water looks bigger, faster, or colder than you planned for, pause and pick another day.
Recreation summaries for **Cavendish Gorge** on the **Black River** describe short foot access near the historic hydropower corridor off **VT Route 131** (parking and posting change—read **Cavendish Connects** and any DEC or utility signage the day you visit). Coordinates match the USGS monitoring point on the Black River in Cavendish as a defensible river pin; adjust after field verification if a trailhead lot is preferred.
Closed-toe shoes with real grip for cobble and wet rock.
Nature
Corridor
River-edge Vermont
Give wildlife and anglers space.
- Songbirds
- Ducks
- Shared river use
Timing
Morning calmer
Afternoons add heat and people.
Observation only.
Bugs
Bug watch
Seasonal
Vermont norms.
Mosquitoes
Possible
Breeze helps.
Ticks
Present
Check after.
Sun
UV
Seasonal
Water glare adds exposure.
Midday
Summer arc
Shade shifts.
Feel
Strong mid-summer
Hydrate.
Peak window
Roughly 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Hint only.