West Ox Road Bmp Dam dam
West Ox Road Bmp Dam
The West Ox Road Bmp Dam in Fairfax, Virginia, is a vital structure owned by the local government for flood risk reduction. Standing at a height of 25.5 feet, with a storage capacity of 142.3 acre-feet and a hazard potential rated as high, this earth dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring its continued safety and effectiveness.
Located in the Baltimore District, the West Ox Road Bmp Dam is designed to withstand hydraulic pressures and has a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2020. With a strong emergency action plan and regular inspections, this dam is well-prepared to handle any potential risks or emergencies that may arise. The primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction, reflecting its importance in managing water resources and climate-related challenges in the region.
As a key infrastructure for water resource management, the West Ox Road Bmp Dam serves as a critical line of defense against flooding in Fairfax County. With its strategic location and high hazard potential, the dam plays a significant role in ensuring the safety and security of the local community. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts can appreciate the engineering and regulatory efforts that go into maintaining and operating this essential flood control structure in Virginia.
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 West Ox Road Bmp Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Run Near Leesburg | 449 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 129 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 449 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 4 cfs | → |
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 50 cfs | → |
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 304 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Ox Road Bmp Dam.
Boat launches
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- Potomac Hills Street Fairfax County
- Rileys Lock Road Darnestown
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Smart's Mill Rd (Private) Leesburg
Campgrounds
- Lake Fairfax
- Bull Run Regional Park
- Horsepen Branch
- Horsepen Branch Campsite
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite
- Marsden Tract Campground
Fishing spots
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
- Washington Aqueduct
- Dalecarlia Reservoir
- Davis Branch (Historical)
- Maddox Branch
- Georgetown Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
Track West Ox Road Bmp Dam 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 West Ox Road Bmp Dam
Where does the data for West Ox Road Bmp Dam 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 West Ox Road Bmp Dam.