The Cornfield Swimming Hole
Conditions
Swim: allowed. Planning frame for a Brattleboro-area West River stop: air and rain, a discharge trend from below Townshend Dam on the same river system, informal Route 30 parking reality, and clear limits on what the gage means at The Cornfield.
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, 31°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Apr 7, 1:05 AM.
Rain read
Rain chance in the next several hours may reach about 35% in that outlook.
Compare with the forecast you use for travel.
River flow
1220 cfs
WEST RIVER BELOW TOWNSHEND DAM NEAR TOWNSHEND, VT · updated Apr 7, 12:30 AM · USGS
Clarity
Storm-dependent
Heavy rain often adds color and debris even when air clears.
Crowd & parking
Informal shoulder
Hot days stack cars at a single pull-off—have a backup plan.
Approach footing
Informal path
Roots, dirt, and slick approaches near the water.
Corridor
Valley river
Typical southern Vermont riparian mix along the West River.
Timing
Earlier often calmer
Afternoons and weekends add people and cars.
Mosquitoes
Seasonal
Moving water helps; repellent still smart in June evenings.
Ticks
Check after
Brush near banks still carries ticks—day-end check smart.
Daily pulse
Match forecast, the live river graph, and what you see at the bank
Cold water is normal. After rain, expect more current and slicker rock. The live graph shows discharge below Townshend Dam on the West River—useful for trend, not depth or speed at this pull-off.
Air & rain
| Time | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 31°F | 3% chance |
| 1:00 AM | 31°F | 3% chance |
| 2:00 AM | 30°F | 8% chance |
| 3:00 AM | 28°F | 16% chance |
| 4:00 AM | 27°F | 26% chance |
| 5:00 AM | 27°F | 35% chance |
| 6:00 AM | 27°F | 34% chance |
| 7:00 AM | 28°F | 28% chance |
| 8:00 AM | 31°F | 23% chance |
| 9:00 AM | 34°F | 19% chance |
| 10:00 AM | 36°F | 29% chance |
| 11:00 AM | 38°F | 32% chance |
Overnight
Chance Snow Showers
~26°F
Tuesday
Chance Snow Showers
~44°F
Tuesday Night
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Clear
~19°F
Wednesday
Sunny
~53°F
Wednesday Night
Mostly Clear
~26°F
Pair regional radar with the on-page hourly/daily table when NWS data loads. Live forecast: National Weather Service.
Water
Where the reading comes from
West River below Townshend Dam, VT (USGS 01155910)
This reading reflects how much water is moving through the West River system, not the exact depth or current at this location. It comes from USGS discharge below Townshend Dam (01155910)—dam releases and basin inflows shape the curve. Use it for trend and context; always check the river directly before entering.
How to use it
1220 cfs
WEST RIVER BELOW TOWNSHEND DAM NEAR TOWNSHEND, VT · USGS · updated Apr 7, 12:30 AM
Clarity
Clears between storms
Turbidity and debris rise after heavy rain.
Flow trend
Watch the live curve
Steep changes can mean shifting current along the lower West River—pair with color, sound, and debris.
Rain outlook
Check your forecast
Thunderstorms can spike tributaries quickly.
Recent rain
Weigh gage + bank
Mud lines, color, and sound are field clues—use them.
People
Parking
Roadside pull-off only
Route 30 is a highway-class corridor—never block travel lanes or the underpass.
Approach
Short informal path
Uneven ground and river-edge pinch points when busy.
In the water
Shared wide bar
Tubers, waders, and anglers can overlap—communicate and give space.
Approach
Bank footing
Roots, dirt, rock
Wet stone and gravel shift underfoot—shoes with grip beat smooth soles.
If the river looks louder, browner, or faster than you expected, pause at the bank and reassess before anyone wades deeper.
Informal paths follow past use; the transition from shoulder to bar is easy to misread when wet.
Closed-toe shoes with real grip for the path and entry.
Nature
River corridor
West River valley
Mixed forest and field edges typical of the Brattleboro reach.
- Songbirds
- Ducks
- Anglers & swimmers (shared reach)
Timing
Morning calmer
Midday heat stacks visitors; evenings can bring bugs.
Observation only—do not approach wildlife closely.
Bugs
Bug watch
Seasonal
Black flies and mosquitoes follow southern Vermont norms.
Mosquitoes
Possible
Breeze helps; cover or repellent still smart.
Ticks
Present
Stay on obvious paths; check socks and waistbands after.
Sun
UV
Seasonal
River glare adds exposure—hat and sunscreen help.
Midday
High summer arc
Spring and fall mean longer shadows earlier.
Feel
Strong mid-summer
Shade from banks and trees shifts through the day.
Peak window
Roughly 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Planning hint only.