Mellott Dam dam
Mellott Dam
Mellott Dam, located in Fauquier, Virginia, is a private earth dam that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 17.4 feet and with a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, this dam holds back the waters of the TR-Carters Run. Despite its recreational focus, Mellott Dam is also a regulated structure, subject to inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Owned by a private entity, Mellott Dam was designed by Carson Land Consultants and is situated within the jurisdiction of the state. With a significant hazard potential, this dam has not been rated for its current condition, indicating a need for further assessment and evaluation. While the specifics of the dam's construction and modifications remain unclear, its presence highlights the intersection of water resource management, climate considerations, and recreational infrastructure in a dynamic natural environment.
As a key feature within the landscape of Fauquier, Virginia, Mellott Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in supporting both human activities and ecological health. With the potential for significant hazards and a lack of current condition assessment, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for careful monitoring and maintenance of critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate management, the intricacies of Mellott Dam provide a compelling case study in the intersection of human engineering, environmental stewardship, and public safety.
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 Mellott Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 8 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 5 cfs | → |
| Battle Run Near Laurel Mills | 4 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River At Front Royal | 414 cfs | → |
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mellott Dam.
Boat launches
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- Rogues Road Fauquier County
- Boat Ramp Warren County
- River Haven Drive Jefferson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- White Sulphur Pond
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
Track Mellott 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 Mellott Dam
Where does the data for Mellott 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 Significant 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 Mellott Dam.