Gretchen Watkins Dam dam
Gretchen Watkins Dam
Gretchen Watkins Dam, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 24 feet and a length of 360 feet, this dam provides important water storage with a capacity of 136.61 acre-feet. While the hazard potential is currently labeled as 'undetermined' and the condition assessment is 'not rated', the dam is subject to regular inspections and meets state regulatory standards.
Despite lacking detailed information on its design, construction, and purpose, Gretchen Watkins Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a normal storage capacity of 75.24 acre-feet and a surface area of 9.9 acres, this dam contributes to the overall water supply and flood control efforts in the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring the condition and function of structures like Gretchen Watkins Dam is essential for sustainable water management practices and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
As part of the Baltimore District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Gretchen Watkins Dam may undergo further assessments and risk management measures in the future. Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of this dam is key to maintaining water security and mitigating potential hazards. By staying informed and involved in the maintenance and regulation of dams like Gretchen Watkins, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of this vital natural resource.
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 Gretchen Watkins Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 38 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 72 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 72 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood | 383 cfs | → |
| South River At Harriston | 106 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gretchen Watkins Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Grove Hill River Road Page County
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- Us 340 Business Page County
- River Anne Palmyra
Campgrounds
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
- Girl Scout Camp
- Lewis Mountain Campground
- Lewis Mountain
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Moody Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- 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
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
Track Gretchen Watkins 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 Gretchen Watkins Dam
Where does the data for Gretchen Watkins 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 Gretchen Watkins Dam.