Wispering Pines Dam dam
Wispering Pines Dam
Wispering Pines Dam, also known as Thompson Dam, is a private dam located in Pittsylvania, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dam is primarily used for recreation purposes and stands at a height of 40 feet. With a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres, Wispering Pines Dam offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various outdoor activities.
Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, Wispering Pines Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a designated emergency action plan and updated emergency contacts, the dam is equipped to handle any unforeseen events. While specific details about the dam's construction date, spillway type, and modifications remain undisclosed, its presence within the Wilmington District of Virginia offers a unique opportunity for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water management and environmental stewardship.
As a private structure with state oversight, Wispering Pines Dam serves as a reminder of the essential role that dams play in providing recreational opportunities while also highlighting the importance of responsible dam management in mitigating potential risks. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, exploring the details of Wispering Pines Dam can offer valuable insights into the intricate balance between human development and environmental conservation in water infrastructure projects.
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 Wispering Pines Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy River Near Danville | 32 cfs | → |
| Dan River At Stp Near Danville | 863 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 248 cfs | → |
| Hyco Creek Near Leasburg | 3 cfs | → |
| Dan River At Paces | 651 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Wentworth | 236 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wispering Pines Dam.
Track Wispering Pines 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 Wispering Pines Dam
Where does the data for Wispering Pines 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 Low 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 Wispering Pines Dam.