East Middlebury Gorge
Conditions
Swim: not recommended. Conditions for East Middlebury Gorge (Otter Creek) near Middlebury: NWS at the pin and—when configured—USGS trend on Otter Creek at Middlebury (basin context for the gorge, not pool depth). Slick ledges and hydraulics after rain—stay out when it looks pushy.
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
Partly Cloudy, 30°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Apr 7, 1:05 AM.
Rain read
Rain chance in the next several hours may reach about 62% in that outlook.
Compare with the forecast you use for travel.
River flow
2340 cfs
OTTER CREEK AT MIDDLEBURY, 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
Middlebury
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 mountain-fed water; currents strengthen after rain. Bedrock ledges stay slippery; depth varies by pool. There are no lifeguards—enter only if your group can self-rescue and supervise children within reach in moving water.
Air & rain
| Time | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 30°F | 11% chance |
| 1:00 AM | 29°F | 12% chance |
| 2:00 AM | 28°F | 12% chance |
| 3:00 AM | 26°F | 19% chance |
| 4:00 AM | 26°F | 27% chance |
| 5:00 AM | 26°F | 34% chance |
| 6:00 AM | 25°F | 38% chance |
| 7:00 AM | 26°F | 41% chance |
| 8:00 AM | 27°F | 51% chance |
| 9:00 AM | 28°F | 60% chance |
| 10:00 AM | 31°F | 61% chance |
| 11:00 AM | 32°F | 62% chance |
Overnight
Chance Snow Showers
~24°F
Tuesday
Snow Showers Likely
~35°F
Tuesday Night
Mostly Clear
~16°F
Wednesday
Sunny
~44°F
Wednesday Night
Mostly Clear
~29°F
Pair regional radar with hourly/daily tables when NWS loads. Live forecast: National Weather Service.
Water
Where the reading comes from
Otter Creek at Middlebury, VT (USGS 04282500)
Proxy / same watershed: the Middlebury River gorge reach flows into Otter Creek downstream of this gage. USGS discharge at Otter Creek at Middlebury reflects the broader basin—not depth, speed, or pool conditions inside the gorge. Use for regional trend only after storms; read the gorge on site.
How to use it
2340 cfs
OTTER CREEK AT MIDDLEBURY, 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
Road maps show the **Middlebury Gorge** bridge on Vermont Route 125 (East Main Street) over Otter Creek. Regional hiking descriptions reference informal shoulder parking and short river-edge approaches—**verify** striping, town posting, neighbor driveways, and safe pull-off space the day you visit.
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.
Road maps show the **Middlebury Gorge** bridge on Vermont Route 125 (East Main Street) over Otter Creek. Regional hiking descriptions reference informal shoulder parking and short river-edge approaches—**verify** current VTrans striping, town posting, neighbor driveways, and safe pull-off space the day you visit. Not a staffed swim beach.
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.