Mink Creek Dam dam
Mink Creek Dam
Mink Creek Dam, located in Albemarle County, Virginia, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam stands at 39 feet in height and spans a length of 286 feet, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the Mink Creek river. With a storage capacity of 226 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.5 acres, Mink Creek Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding events.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of August 2020, Mink Creek Dam has a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. The dam has not been significantly modified over the years, and its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status is currently unknown. With a notable presence in the Norfolk District, the dam serves as a key infrastructure for water management in the region and is closely monitored to address any potential risks or emergencies that may arise.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate resilience can appreciate Mink Creek Dam's critical role in flood control and its contribution to maintaining the ecological balance of the Mink Creek watershed. As part of the local government's infrastructure, this dam showcases the intricate balance between water management, environmental protection, and community safety, making it a noteworthy site for those passionate about sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in Virginia's Albemarle County.
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 Mink Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 41 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mink Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- River Anne Palmyra
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
Campgrounds
- James River State Park
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
- Girl Scout Camp
- Hiker Camping
- Westview On The James
- Holliday Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
Track Mink Creek 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 Mink Creek Dam
Where does the data for Mink Creek 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 Mink Creek Dam.