Western Branch Dam dam
Western Branch Dam
Western Branch Dam, also known as Western Branch Reservoir Dam, is a vital water resource infrastructure located in Suffolk, Virginia. Managed by the local government, this Earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of water supply, with a storage capacity of 35,300 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,250 acres. The dam stands at a height of 41 feet and spans a length of 2,400 feet, regulating the flow of the Western Branch Nansemond River to ensure a stable water supply for the region.
Constructed by GEI Consultants Inc., the dam is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. With a high hazard potential, the dam is categorized as having a moderate risk level and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in July 2020. The spillway, with a width of 500 feet, is designed as uncontrolled, emphasizing the importance of effective emergency preparedness and risk management measures for the surrounding community in case of a potential breach or flooding event. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Western Branch Dam serves as a critical infrastructure for water supply and recreational activities in Suffolk, showcasing the intersection of engineering, environmental conservation, and public safety in managing water resources in the region.
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 Western Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 3 cfs | → |
| Pasquotank River Near South Mills | 27 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 121 cfs | → |
| Potecasi Creek Near Union | 3 cfs | → |
| Ahoskie Creek At Ahoskie | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Western Branch Dam.
Boat launches
- Archery Range Trail Chuckatuck
- Field Trail Suffolk
- Bob House Parkway Suffolk
- Horseback Trail Chuckatuck
Track Western Branch 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 Western Branch Dam
Where does the data for Western Branch 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 Western Branch Dam.