Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 dam
Upper Blackwater River Dam #4
Upper Blackwater River Dam #4, also known as Dillon Dam or Emma's Pond Dam, is a local government-owned structure in Franklin, Virginia, designed by the Virginia DCR - Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The dam, constructed for flood risk reduction, is an earth-type dam standing at a height of 52 feet and a length of 540 feet, with a storage capacity of 338 acre-feet and a normal storage of 65 acre-feet. Situated on the tributary of North Fork Blackwater River, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of July 2019, Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 poses a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam is regulated and permitted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring that it meets safety standards and is in compliance with state regulations. Its location at the juncture of Franklin County and Virginia underscores its significance in protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the role of Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 in mitigating flood risks and managing water flow in the region. Its structural design, storage capacity, and regulatory oversight make it a key infrastructure for safeguarding the local environment and residents. As efforts continue to ensure its safety and effectiveness, the dam stands as a crucial asset in preserving the balance of water resources and climate resilience in Franklin, 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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 36 cfs | → |
| S F Roanoke River Near Shawsville | 25 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 77 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 13 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Glenvar | 58 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Lafayette | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Blackwater River Dam #4.
Boat launches
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Reservoir Road Hollins
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
Campgrounds
- Roanoke Mtn
- Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Goose Dam
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
- Ryans Branch - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
Track Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #4
Where does the data for Upper Blackwater River Dam #4 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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #4.