Salmon Hole (West River)
Conditions
Swim: allowed. Conditions for Salmon Hole (West River beach, Jamaica State Park) near Jamaica: NWS at the pin and—when configured—USGS discharge on the West River at Jamaica. The gage is on the same town reach as the beach, but it is still not depth or a swim OK—stay inside posted areas.
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
Slight Chance Snow Showers, 27°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Apr 7, 3:53 AM.
Rain read
Rain chance in the next several hours may reach about 79% in that outlook.
Compare with the forecast you use for travel.
River flow
894 cfs
WEST RIVER AT JAMAICA, VT · updated Apr 7, 3:30 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
Jamaica
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 river water; current and depth shift after rain. Wet rock and cobble stay slippery. Lifeguards are **not** guaranteed—treat as open river. Stay inside posted swim areas, supervise children within reach, and follow all park signage.
Air & rain
| Time | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | 27°F | 19% chance |
| 4:00 AM | 27°F | 36% chance |
| 5:00 AM | 28°F | 49% chance |
| 6:00 AM | 28°F | 58% chance |
| 7:00 AM | 28°F | 68% chance |
| 8:00 AM | 29°F | 77% chance |
| 9:00 AM | 29°F | 78% chance |
| 10:00 AM | 30°F | 77% chance |
| 11:00 AM | 32°F | 76% chance |
| 12:00 PM | 34°F | 79% chance |
| 1:00 PM | 36°F | 71% chance |
| 2:00 PM | 38°F | 64% chance |
Overnight
Chance Snow Showers
~26°F
Tuesday
Snow Showers
~38°F
Tuesday Night
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Mostly Clear
~16°F
Wednesday
Sunny
~48°F
Wednesday Night
Clear
~26°F
Pair regional radar with hourly/daily tables when NWS loads. Live forecast: National Weather Service.
Water
Where the reading comes from
West River at Jamaica, VT (USGS 01155500)
Proxy / same watershed: gage is on the West River at Jamaica—the same town reach as Salmon Hole inside Jamaica State Park. Discharge is still not a depth map or a safe-to-swim verdict at the beach; pair the curve with color, sound, and what you see in the eddy.
How to use it
894 cfs
WEST RIVER AT JAMAICA, VT · USGS · updated Apr 7, 3:30 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
Salmon Hole is a developed swimming beach on the West River inside **Jamaica State Park** (commonly listed near **48 Salmon Hole Lane**, Jamaica). Pay park day-use fees and follow **Vermont State Parks** hours, parking,
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.
Salmon Hole is a developed swimming beach on the West River inside **Jamaica State Park** (commonly listed near **48 Salmon Hole Lane**, Jamaica). Pay park day-use fees and follow **Vermont State Parks** hours, parking, and posted swim rules. Coordinates match the published **48 Salmon Hole Lane** park entrance—match the entrance gate and signage in the field.
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.