Falls of Lana
Conditions
Swim: limited (wade-only in verified shallow pockets). Risk: high at main drops. Planning with live NWS and USGS trend data when available—still read the brook on site.
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 Cloudy, 32°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Apr 6, 10:28 PM.
Rain read
Rain chance in the next several hours may reach about 50% in that outlook.
Compare with the forecast you use for travel.
River flow
2340 cfs
OTTER CREEK AT MIDDLEBURY, VT · updated Apr 6, 9:30 PM · USGS
Clarity
Storm-dependent
High water adds color and power in the gorge.
Crowd & parking
Busy summer weekends
Developed lot can fill—arrive early.
Mud index
Moderate after rain
Roots and stone dominate footing.
Nature pulse
Forest gorge setting
Songbirds and moving water.
Timing
Morning parking easier
Afternoons busier at the trailhead.
Mosquitoes
Seasonal
Repellent in early summer.
Ticks
Check after hiking
Stay on trail.
Daily pulse
Limited wading—avoid the main drop
Treat Falls of Lana as a hike-first waterfall: cold water, slick tiers, and strong flow after rain. Wading belongs only in calm, shallow pockets you have verified—not in the full plunge zone.
Air & rain
| Time | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 PM | 32°F | 6% chance |
| 10:00 PM | 31°F | 8% chance |
| 11:00 PM | 30°F | 10% chance |
| 12:00 AM | 30°F | 11% chance |
| 1:00 AM | 29°F | 11% chance |
| 2:00 AM | 29°F | 12% chance |
| 3:00 AM | 28°F | 19% chance |
| 4:00 AM | 28°F | 27% chance |
| 5:00 AM | 28°F | 34% chance |
| 6:00 AM | 26°F | 37% chance |
| 7:00 AM | 28°F | 40% chance |
| 8:00 AM | 28°F | 50% chance |
Tonight
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Snow Showers
~26°F
Tuesday
Snow Showers Likely
~34°F
Tuesday Night
Mostly Clear
~18°F
Wednesday
Sunny
~42°F
Wednesday Night
Mostly Clear
~30°F
Regional radar + NWS when live merge succeeds. Live forecast: National Weather Service.
Water
Gauge context
USGS 04282500 (discharge)
Regional Otter Creek gauge used as proxy; reflects general watershed conditions, not exact flow at falls.
At the falls
2340 cfs
OTTER CREEK AT MIDDLEBURY, VT · USGS · updated Apr 6, 9:30 PM
Clarity
Storm-dependent
Rising flow changes every step and shelf.
People
Parking
Trailhead lot
Day-use hours posted at the facility.
Trail
Moderate hike in
Not a roadside pool—budget time and water.
Swimming
Limited / wade-only mindset
Full swimming is inappropriate across much of this site.
Trail
Mud index
Moderate after rain
Brook crossings need care when flow is up.
Turn back if water is high or ice makes stone treacherous.
Roots, stone, and possible wet crossings.
Trail shoes with grip; trekking poles optional.
Nature
Gorge context
Spray and cold pools
Respect closures and wildlife buffers if posted.
- Songbirds
- Forest mammals
Timing
Earlier starts win parking
Midday summer heat fills the lot.
Observation only—do not approach wildlife.
Bugs
Bug watch
Seasonal
Ticks and mosquitoes follow Vermont norms.
Mosquitoes
Possible
Spray zones still have biting insects in June.
Ticks
Present
Check at day’s end.
Sun
UV
Seasonal
Forest cover helps; glade sun still burns.
Midday
High summer arc
Spring/fall lower angles.
Feel
Strong mid-summer
Plan shade breaks on hot hikes.
Peak window
Roughly 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Planning hint only.