Wrenns Dam dam
Wrenns Dam
Wrenns Dam, located in Isle of Wight, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth-type dam on the Pagan River stands at a height of 14 feet and has a storage capacity of 172 acre-feet, primarily serving recreational purposes. While the dam's hazard potential is currently undetermined and its condition is not rated, regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam, with a hydraulic height matching its structural height of 14 feet, is a significant feature in the Norfolk District managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Although details about the dam's construction year and length are not specified, its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area is clear. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are currently not outlined, suggesting a potential area for future development and enhancement in ensuring the safety and resilience of this vital water resource.
Overall, Wrenns Dam stands as a crucial asset for water resource management and climate enthusiasts, offering insights into the intersection of infrastructure, recreation, and environmental stewardship. As efforts continue to monitor and assess the dam's condition and functionality, there is a clear opportunity to further enhance its safety measures, emergency preparedness, and risk management strategies. With its location on the Pagan River and its significance in the local community, Wrenns Dam represents a valuable piece of Virginia's water infrastructure landscape that warrants ongoing attention and investment.
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 Wrenns Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 3 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 121 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 28 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Stony Creek | 53 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wrenns Dam.
Boat launches
- Boundary Road 21205, Carrollton
- Denbigh Boulevard 3, Newport News
- Horseback Trail Chuckatuck
- Huntington Park Municipal Boat Ramp
- Bob House Parkway Suffolk
Campgrounds
- Chippokes Plantation State Park
- Fort Eustis Military
- Newport News Park Campground - A Loop
- Newport News City Park
- Newport News Park Campground - D Loop
- Newport News Park Campground - F Loop
More reservoirs
Track Wrenns 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 Wrenns Dam
Where does the data for Wrenns 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 Wrenns Dam.