Virgin Run dam
Virgin Run
Virgin Run is a state-regulated dam located in Fayette, Pennsylvania, with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at 34 feet high and spans 478 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 690 acre-feet. Despite its recreational use, the dam is categorized as having a significant hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition.
Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Virgin Run is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols. The dam, situated in Franklin Township, serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and offers a surface area of 32 acres for visitors to enjoy. With a drainage area of 3.3 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 420 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities for the local community.
Although Virgin Run dam has faced challenges with its maintenance and condition assessment, its role in water resource management and recreation cannot be understated. As a key feature in the area's landscape, the dam continues to draw visitors seeking leisure activities and serves as a reminder of the importance of proper infrastructure management in safeguarding both the environment and public safety.
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 Virgin Run -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redstone Creek At Waltersburg | 35 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Connellsville | 943 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Sutersville | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 726 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River At Elizabeth | 21,100 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River Near Masontown | 1,920 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Virgin Run.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Cedar Creek Trekker Campground
- Kentuck Campground
- Kentuck - Ohiopyle State Park
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Paddler's Lane Campground
- Tub Run Rec Area - Youghiogheny River Lake
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Deep Creek Lake
- Frostburg Reservoir
- Broadford Lake
- Snowy Creek
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
Track Virgin Run 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 Virgin Run
Where does the data for Virgin Run 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 Significant 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 Virgin Run.