N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam dam
N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam
N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam, also known as Rough Run Dam, is a vital structure located in Dorcas, West Virginia, designed by the USDA NRCS. Completed in 1982, this earth dam stands at a height of 89 feet and spans a length of 630 feet, providing flood risk reduction for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 642 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.05 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the dam is inspected every two years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition. In the event of an emergency, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates serve as the primary means for managing water flow. With a moderate risk rating, the dam's risk management measures are continually reviewed to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam presents an intriguing case study in flood risk reduction and water management. As one of the critical infrastructure projects in Grant County, this dam highlights the importance of effective regulation, maintenance, and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities from potential water-related disasters. With its history, design details, and risk assessment information, the dam serves as a fascinating example of how modern engineering practices intersect with environmental stewardship to protect both people and resources.
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 N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| So. Branch Potomac River Nr Petersburg | 182 cfs | → |
| N F South Br Potomac R At Cabins | 66 cfs | → |
| So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield | 36 cfs | → |
| So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine | 10 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River At Franklin | 33 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River At Cootes Store | 129 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam.
Campgrounds
- Jess Judy Group Campground
- Camp Run Campground
- Red Creek Campground
- Princess Snowbird Campground
- Seneca Shadows Campground
- Trout Pond
Fishing spots
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
- Dry Fork
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- White Sulphur Pond
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- Shreve Store To Big Bend Campground
- Big Bend Campground To Canyon Exit (Just Prior To Confluence With North Branch)
- Jake Hill Road Bridge To Shreve Store
- High Ridge Run To Outskirts Of Hopeville
- Canyon Exit To Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Nra Boundary
- Perennial Stream At Forks To Dolly Sods Wilderness Boundary
Track N&S Mill Creek No. 3 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 N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam
Where does the data for N&S Mill Creek No. 3 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 N&S Mill Creek No. 3 Dam.