Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures) dam
Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures)
Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1, also known as Industrial Drive Dam No.1, is a private water structure located in Fairfax, Virginia, along the Backlick Run tributary. This dam is part of a series of three structures and is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. With a height of 6.2 feet and a storage capacity of 53.3 acre-feet, this dam serves purposes beyond just water storage, making it a unique and essential component of the local water resource infrastructure.
Despite its importance, the condition assessment of Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further evaluation and monitoring. The hazard potential of this dam is classified as "Undetermined," highlighting the need for ongoing inspection and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. While the specific year of completion is not provided, the dam's functionality and regulatory oversight make it a significant feature in the management of water resources in the area.
As a key point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 represents a crucial component of the water infrastructure in Fairfax, Virginia. With its unique design and regulatory oversight, this dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and storage along the Backlick Run tributary. Continued monitoring and assessment of this structure are essential to ensure its long-term functionality and safety in the face of changing climate conditions and water resource demands.
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 Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 411 cfs | → |
| Cameron Run At Alexandria | 610 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 52 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Run At Alexandria | 278 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 3,010 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek At Piscataway | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures).
Boat launches
- Wayne F Anderson Bikeway Alexandria
- Ludgate Drive Mount Vernon
- Gravelly Point Boat Ramp
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- Wharf Road Accokeek
Campgrounds
- Fort Belvoir Travel And Rv Camp
- Burke Lake Park
- Pohick Bay Regional Park
- Marsden Tract Campground
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite
- Lake Fairfax
Track Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures) 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 Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures)
Where does the data for Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures) 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 Mule Pen Quarry Structure No. 1 (1 Of 3 Structures).