Mackey Dam dam
Mackey Dam
Mackey Dam, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a crucial structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This dam, standing at a height of 28 feet, serves the purpose of regulating the flow of a tributary to Mechunk Creek. With a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, it plays a significant role in water resource management in the area. Despite being undetermined in terms of hazard potential and not yet rated for condition assessment, Mackey Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the state regulatory agency.
Although the primary purpose and design specifics of Mackey Dam are not provided in the data, its importance in the local water infrastructure cannot be understated. With a state-regulated status and compliance with permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements, this dam ensures the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region. The presence of the dam also indicates the commitment of Virginia to effectively manage its water bodies and protect against potential risks and emergencies.
As an enthusiast concerned with water resources and climate impacts, Mackey Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam management and regulation. The dam's location, height, and storage capacity showcase its role in maintaining water levels and controlling flow in the watershed. While there are aspects such as hazard potential and condition assessment that require further evaluation, the diligent oversight by the state agency and adherence to inspection protocols underline the importance of infrastructure resilience in the face of changing climates and water resource challenges.
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 Mackey Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 159 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 532 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 61 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 44 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 31 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mackey Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Christopher Run Campground
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
- Lake Anna State Park
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Batzell Boat Launch
Track Mackey 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 Mackey Dam
Where does the data for Mackey 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 Undetermined 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 Mackey Dam.