Motts Run Reservoir Dam dam
Motts Run Reservoir Dam
Motts Run Reservoir Dam in Spotsylvania, Virginia, is a critical infrastructure managed by the local government for water supply and flood risk reduction. This earth dam stands at a height of 96.5 feet, with a storage capacity of 7,700 acre-feet and a normal storage of 4,119 acre-feet. The dam spans 715 feet and is located on the Motts Run river, under the oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as per the last inspection in August 2019. It is regularly monitored and regulated by the state agency, with all necessary permits and inspections in place. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is updated and meets guidelines for emergency preparedness, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities in case of any unforeseen events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Motts Run Reservoir Dam as a vital water management structure in the region. Its role in supplying water and mitigating flood risk highlights the importance of sustainable infrastructure for supporting communities and ecosystems in a changing climate.
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 Motts Run Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 213 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 4 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 13 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River At Remington | 136 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Motts Run Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
Campgrounds
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Campsite #6
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Campground 3
- Lake Anna State Park
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
Fishing spots
Track Motts Run Reservoir 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 Motts Run Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Motts Run Reservoir 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 Motts Run Reservoir Dam.