Burke Hill Dam dam
Burke Hill Dam
Burke Hill Dam, located in Fairfax, Virginia, serves as a vital recreational hub along the Pohick Creek tributary. This earth dam stands at a height of 17.6 feet, with a storage capacity of 83.66 acre-feet, making it a significant water resource for the surrounding area. While the dam's primary purpose is for recreation, it also plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
Managed by a private owner, Burke Hill Dam falls under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and lack of a formal condition assessment, the dam continues to provide essential benefits to the community. With its scenic location and diverse recreational opportunities, Burke Hill Dam remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor activities in a serene environment.
As a key feature in the Baltimore District's landscape, Burke Hill Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices and the preservation of natural resources. While its maintenance and risk assessment may require further attention, the dam's role in supporting local ecosystems and providing recreational opportunities underscores the need for continued monitoring and stewardship. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Burke Hill Dam represents both a source of enjoyment and a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation in our ever-changing world.
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 Burke Hill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 1 cfs | → |
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 3 cfs | → |
| Cameron Run At Alexandria | 6 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Run At Alexandria | 3 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 11 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 2,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burke Hill Dam.
Boat launches
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- Ludgate Drive Mount Vernon
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
- Wayne F Anderson Bikeway Alexandria
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Doves Trail Prince William County
Campgrounds
- Burke Lake Park
- Fort Belvoir Travel And Rv Camp
- Pohick Bay Regional Park
- Bull Run Regional Park
- Lake Fairfax
- Marsden Tract Campground
Fishing spots
- Maddox Branch
- Georgetown Reservoir
- Davis Branch (Historical)
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
- Foundry Branch
- Washington Aqueduct
Track Burke Hill 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 Burke Hill Dam
Where does the data for Burke Hill 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 Undetermined 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 Burke Hill Dam.