Mountain Valley Dam 4 dam
Mountain Valley Dam 4
Mountain Valley Dam 4, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a private dam primarily utilized for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 28 feet with a length of 200 feet, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, making it a significant water resource in the area. The dam is situated near the tributary Biscuit Creek and is under state regulation by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Despite its importance for recreation and water storage, Mountain Valley Dam 4 is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with an undetermined hazard potential. The last inspection in January 2021 highlighted the need for maintenance and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. With a history dating back to 2005 and ongoing state oversight, the dam's structural stability and operational efficiency are crucial considerations for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to monitor the condition and maintenance of Mountain Valley Dam 4 to prevent potential risks and ensure the sustainable use of this vital infrastructure. With its location in a scenic area near Biscuit Creek, the dam provides not only recreational opportunities but also serves as a key water storage facility in Albemarle, Virginia. By staying informed and advocating for proper management and upkeep of Mountain Valley Dam 4, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of this essential water resource for future generations.
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 Mountain Valley Dam 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 38 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 72 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Valley Dam 4.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
- Hiker Camping
- 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
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
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
- Headwaters To Farmville
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
Track Mountain Valley Dam 4 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 Mountain Valley Dam 4
Where does the data for Mountain Valley Dam 4 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 Mountain Valley Dam 4.