Breckinridge Dam dam
Breckinridge Dam
Breckinridge Dam, located in Stafford, Virginia, along the Chopawamsic Creek, is a concrete structure with a multi-arch core built in 1940 by the US Navy for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 58 feet and has a hydraulic height of 53 feet, with a length of 290 feet. It provides a storage capacity of 1130 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 730 acre-feet and a surface area of 55 acres.
Despite its recreational benefits, Breckinridge Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of June 2019. The dam is not regulated by the state and is owned by the US Marine Corps, with funding and construction overseen by the US Navy. While it has not been modified over the years, the dam lacks outlet gates and has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 110 feet. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam requires regular inspections every three years to ensure public safety.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Breckinridge Dam can appreciate its historical significance and the challenges it faces in maintaining its structural integrity for both recreational and water supply purposes. The dam's location in the Boswells Store area offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities, but its high hazard potential underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to prevent potential disasters in the future.
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 Breckinridge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 2 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 5 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 213 cfs | → |
| Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey | 1 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Breckinridge Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Doves Trail Prince William County
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
Campgrounds
- Campsite #6
- Campground 3
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Cabin Camp 4 - Pleasant Historic District
- Cabin Camp 1
Fishing spots
Track Breckinridge 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 Breckinridge Dam
Where does the data for Breckinridge 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 Breckinridge Dam.