Welcome To Joe's Pond Vermont

News Items - Research contributor: N Thomas Brown

2012 Newsletter
The newsletter is out!!!
Comcast scraps broadband cap, moves to usage-based billing
Verizon to end unlimited data for upgraders
Why NH's Waterfront Market Might Be On The Rebound
U.S. energy independence is no longer just a pipe dream
Some Vermont electric customers to see rate increase
New online tool helps you estimate Social Security benefits
The PC market's last, best hope
Cruise line sued for not helping stranded fishermen
Two New Comments
Best Cars for Commuting
Plainfield dairy farm closing down, auctioning cows
Three Reasons Why It's Boom Time For NH Manufacturers
Super Seniors: Tony Pomerleau
You may get a discount to pay with debit card instead of credit card
Oil closes at lowest level of the year
Memorial Day Annual Chicken Barbecue 5/28
New camp for rent

Photo by Robert Lyons Photography, 1992

Joe's Pond is about 13 miles west of St Johnsbury, and 25 miles east of Montpelier, and we have two main roads in the area. Route 2 runs in a westerly direction from interstates 91 and 93 in St Johnsbury to connect with interstate 89 in Montpelier. Route 15 runs northwest from Rt. 2 in West Danville along the eastern shore of Joe's Pond on through Walden, Hardwick, Morrisville, Johnson, and Cambridge to Winooski.

The official maximum depth of the pond is about 98 feet, and the elevation here is about 1575 feet above sea level. We co-exist with moose, turkeys, bears, deer, and smaller creatures, including an occasional eagle, regular sightings of ducks, geese, ospreys, and returning loons that raise a family on the pond each year.

Joe's Pond covers 396 acres and is approximately 3 miles in length. It consists of three sections: the first two sections run parallel to Rt. 2 in an east/west direction, and the third and largest body of water stretches from the State of Vermont boating access off Rt. 2 in a northwesterly direction. The shores of the pond are shared by the towns of Cabot on the western shore and Danville on the eastern and southern shores. It is fed by numerous springs and brooks, mainly Joe's Brook at the north corner flowing from Walden, and smaller brooks flowing from Cabot Plain on the western shore. The outlet of the pond is at the dam in West Danville, where Joe's Brook flows to a power plant owned by Green Mountain Power Corporation and continues southeast to the Passumpsic River, which in turn empties into the Connecticut River. See this article for much more on the location, topography and geological history of Joe's Pond.

There is excellent fishing here year around. We also have a VAST snowmobile trail running along the eastern shore. The unimproved trail is also open during the summer for non-motorized use such as hiking and biking. There is a public beach located in West Danville for swimming and launching kayaks, and a State Fishing Access off of Rt. 2. These are the only two areas for public access.

There are over 200 cottages along the shores of the pond making Joe's Pond one of the most densely populated bodies of water in Vermont. There are two islands, both of which have cottages. The larger island, formerly known as "Priest's Island" is now privately owned. The smaller island was man-made by Simeon Whittier in the 1890's. Mr. Whittier lived on the island off and on until his death in 1937 at age 87. See his story. The island is privately owned and still has part of Whittier's original building in use.

The Joe's Pond Association, in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, the Nature Conservancy and Fairbanks Museum, in 1994 acquired land at the northwestern end of the pond through which Joe's Brook enters, making it a protected wildlife and wetlands area.

The Joe's Pond Association (JPA) was formed in 1921 when the founders wrote "our main purpose is the betterment of our environment." Today JPA's activities include monitoring for invasive water species, prevention of soil and contaminated runoff into the pond, and protecting our water quality and wildlife. JPA has a membership of nearly 300 families. Regular meetings are held monthly from May through August, with fund raising social events that include our surrounding communities as well as members throughout the summer.

This web site, www.joespondvermont.com, is privately owned and maintained for the convenience of Joe's Pond Association membership and the communities of Cabot, Danville, and Walden. The intent is to provide easy access to information about our immediate area and the region where we live. We try to present information to appeal to a variety of internet users such as potential renters or property seekers , historians, and vacationers. We also provide a space for local business people to showcase their products and services. Our Events Page includes not only the activities of the Joe's Pond Association, but also community activities. Not all the "local color" is in our autumn trees - you'll find a good deal of that in the "Local News Blog" where news items, photos and comments by local residents are posted on a daily basis, making it the most active page on the site. JPA is not responsible for appearance or content. Any questions should be directed to: jpwebmaster@fairpoint.net.

Before you leave the site, be sure to visit the Ice-Out Contest Page. The Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest tickets are available from July until April, providing fun for thousands of people. Proceeds fund a huge free July Fireworks Display each year - an exciting event you won't want to miss. Check the Events Schedule for the exact date as it changes each year.