Vista Business Park dam
Vista Business Park
Vista Business Park, located in Washington County, Maryland, is home to a state-regulated concrete dam that serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the West Branch Marsh Run-TR. Completed in 2020, this 12.5-foot high dam boasts a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres. With a maximum discharge of 2875 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flooding in the area.
Despite its high hazard potential, the dam at Vista Business Park has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with a risk assessment rating of moderate (3). Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the dam's structural integrity and emergency preparedness. The park has not only become an essential component of water resource management in the region but also serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Vista Business Park to be a compelling example of innovative flood risk reduction measures in action.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Vista Business Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conococheague Creek At Fairview | 161 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Waynesboro | 36 cfs | → |
| Marsh Run At Grimes | 6 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Sharpsburg | 127 cfs | → |
| Potomac River At Shepherdstown | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Tuscarora Creek Above Martinsburg | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vista Business Park.
Boat launches
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Big Red Trail Mount Lena
- Starliper Road Washington County
- Taylors Landing
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Washington County
- Catoctin Hollow Road 13916, Frederick County
Campgrounds
- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
- Jordan Junction Campsite
- Jordan Junction Hiker Biker Campsite
- Pogo Memorial Campground
- Capital Camps & Retreat Center
- Cumberland Valley Hiker Biker Campsite
Fishing spots
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- Hunting Creek Lake
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Little Owens Creek
- Melagos Fising Spot
Track Vista Business Park in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Vista Business Park
Where does the data for Vista Business Park come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Vista Business Park.