Happy Creek Dam dam
Happy Creek Dam
Happy Creek Dam, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earthen dam, standing at 18 feet tall and stretching 400 feet in length, serves primarily for recreational purposes, including fish and wildlife pond activities. With a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet, the dam overlooks the serene waters of Happy Creek, offering a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and unrated condition assessment, Happy Creek Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking relaxation and nature exploration. While the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks detailed risk assessment measures, it continues to provide a peaceful environment for visitors to connect with the surrounding landscape. As an integral part of the local ecosystem, the dam plays a vital role in supporting wildlife habitats and recreational activities along Happy Creek.
With its picturesque location and recreational focus, Happy Creek Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship. While the dam's risk assessment and emergency preparedness measures may need further attention, its role in promoting outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation highlights the ongoing need for sustainable water management practices in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Happy Creek Dam offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human engineering and natural beauty in a tranquil setting along Happy Creek.
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 Happy Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 8 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 56 cfs | → |
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 26 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 3 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 26 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Happy Creek Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Happy Creek Dam
Where does the data for Happy 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 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 below 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.
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.