Burns Dam dam
Burns Dam
Burns Dam, located in King George, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 19.75 feet, this dam serves multiple purposes, including storing water for irrigation and providing flood control in the area. With a storage capacity of 99.46 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 8.24 acres and is vital in managing water resources in the region.
Although the hazard potential of Burns Dam is currently undetermined and its condition is not rated, the dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With an emergency action plan in place and updated contact information, the dam is prepared to handle any potential risks or emergencies. Despite its modest size, Burns Dam plays a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the Norfolk District.
As a key infrastructure in the region, Burns Dam highlights the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation. With its regulated status and state oversight, the dam contributes to the overall resilience of the area by providing essential water storage and flood control capabilities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Burns Dam will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water management practices and safeguarding communities from potential risks and disasters.
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 Burns Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Zekiah Swamp Run Near Newtown | 3 cfs | → |
| St Clement Creek Near Clements | 1 cfs | → |
| Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey | 2 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 16 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 4 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 258 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burns Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Charles County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- Paul Ellis Landing
- Gilbert Run Boat Ramp
- Currioman Road 2498, Westmoreland County
Campgrounds
- Smallwood State Park Youth Group Campsite
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Smallwood State Park
- Campground 3
- Campsite #6
- Cabin Camp 4 - Pleasant Historic District
Fishing spots
Track Burns 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 Burns Dam
Where does the data for Burns 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 Burns Dam.