Middle Mint Spings Dam dam
Middle Mint Spings Dam
Middle Mint Springs Dam, nestled in Albemarle, Virginia, along Powell Creek, stands as a testament to the enduring power of earth-filled dams in the realm of recreation. Originally known as the Roy Bailey Dam before succumbing to the forces of nature in the early '80s, this local government-owned structure now serves as a vital hub for outdoor enthusiasts seeking respite and adventure in the heart of nature. With a dam height reaching 34.9 feet and a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, Middle Mint Springs Dam offers a tranquil 2.7-acre surface area for visitors to enjoy.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, this high-hazard dam has been marked as satisfactory during its most recent inspection in April 2020. While its primary purpose remains recreation, the dam's strategic location ensures it plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of Powell Creek and safeguarding surrounding areas from potential flooding. Despite its age and history, Middle Mint Springs Dam continues to stand tall, a symbol of resilience and a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
As climate change looms large on the horizon, Middle Mint Springs Dam stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and nature's forces. With its high hazard potential and state-regulated status, this earth-filled structure not only provides recreational opportunities but also underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and inspection to ensure the safety of communities downstream. For those passionate about water resources and climate resilience, Middle Mint Springs Dam serves as a case study in the intersection of natural beauty, recreation, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving 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 Middle Mint Spings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 18 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 11 cfs | → |
| South River At Harriston | 96 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Grottoes | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Middle Mint Spings Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- Nelson County
- River Anne Palmyra
- James River Road Nelson County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Hiker Camping
- Dundo
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Sherando Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Headwaters To Farmville
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
Track Middle Mint Spings 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 Middle Mint Spings Dam
Where does the data for Middle Mint Spings 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 Middle Mint Spings Dam.