Gatewood Dam dam
Gatewood Dam
Gatewood Dam, located in Pulaski, Virginia, is a gravity-type structure designed by Froehling and Robertson, Inc. The dam serves as a vital water supply source in the region, with a storage capacity of 3,630 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1,944 acre-feet. Sitting on Peak Creek, the dam stands at a height of 57 feet and stretches 408 feet in length, with a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment as of March 2019.
Managed by the local government, Gatewood Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications since its construction, it is subject to regular state inspections, enforcement measures, and permitting requirements to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition is deemed fair, with emergency action plans in place to address any potential risks or incidents that may arise.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gatewood Dam presents a critical infrastructure supporting the water supply needs of Pulaski, Virginia. Its location on Peak Creek and strategic design by industry experts make it a key player in water management efforts in the region. With ongoing state oversight and regular inspections, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively while ensuring the safety and well-being of local communities that rely on its reservoir for water supply.
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 Gatewood Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reed Creek At Grahams Forge | 239 cfs | → |
| New River At Allisonia | 2,510 cfs | → |
| New River At Ivanhoe | 1,520 cfs | → |
| Little River At Graysontown | 206 cfs | → |
| New River At Radford | 2,950 cfs | → |
| Walker Creek At Bane | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gatewood Dam.
Boat launches
- Brown Road 2598, Pulaski County
- Va 100 Wythe County
- Julia Simpkins Road 1711, Pulaski County
- Beach Drive 6833, Pulaski County
- Hidden Valley Pulaski County
- Ben H. Bolen Drive 6620, Dublin
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- 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
- Bluestone Dam To Gauley Bridge
- Bluestone Dam To Sandstone
- Whitetop Laurel--Jefferson Nf Boundary (Intersection Of Hwy 58 And Sr 859) To Jefferson Nf Boundary Above Damascus
Track Gatewood 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 Gatewood Dam
Where does the data for Gatewood 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 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 Gatewood Dam.