Ararat River Dam #32 dam
Ararat River Dam #32
Ararat River Dam #32, located in Patrick, Virginia, serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the tributary of the Ararat River. This earth-type dam stands at 36 feet high and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. While the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, the last inspection in 2006 deemed its hazard potential as undetermined. The Department of Conservation and Recreation regulates and inspects this dam to ensure its safety and effectiveness in mitigating flood risks in the area.
Managed by the local government, Ararat River Dam #32 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding events. Despite lacking recent modifications or comprehensive risk assessments, this dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose of flood risk reduction. With a normal storage capacity of 14 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.33 square miles, this dam serves as a key infrastructure piece in safeguarding the region against water-related disasters.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Ararat River Dam #32 is essential in appreciating the efforts made to manage and regulate water flow for the benefit of local communities. With ongoing inspections and regulatory oversight, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive flood risk reduction measures in ensuring the safety and well-being of those living in Patrick, Virginia, and the surrounding areas.
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 Ararat River Dam #32 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ararat River At Ararat | 78 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 57 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 23 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 5 cfs | → |
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ararat River Dam #32.
Boat launches
- Pattons Mill Lane 1434, Grayson County
- New River Trail Carroll County
- Riverside Boat Ramp
- Baywood Boat Ramp
- Julia Simpkins Road 1711, Pulaski County
- Ivanhoe Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Willville Motorcycle Campground
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Camp Raven Knob
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Rocky Knob
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ararat River Dam #32 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 Ararat River Dam #32
Where does the data for Ararat River Dam #32 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 Ararat River Dam #32.