Clifton Forge Dam dam
Clifton Forge Dam
Clifton Forge Dam, located in Alleghany, Virginia, is a gravity dam constructed in 1949 primarily for water supply purposes. Designed by Gannett Fleming, Inc., this dam stands at a height of 52 feet and has a length of 265 feet, with a storage capacity of 318 acre-feet. Situated on the Smith Creek river, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement requirements.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2020, Clifton Forge Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. The dam's normal storage capacity of 160 acre-feet serves the surrounding area, while its location on the Smith Creek river contributes to a drainage area of 12.53 square miles. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards, highlighting its importance in maintaining water supply infrastructure in Virginia.
The presence of Clifton Forge Dam underscores the significance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change. As a key structure in the region, it serves as a vital source of water supply while also posing challenges in terms of hazard potential. With regular inspections and satisfactory condition assessments, the dam stands as a testament to effective infrastructure management in ensuring the safety and security of water resources in Alleghany, Virginia.
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 Clifton Forge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowpasture River Near Clifton Forge | 148 cfs | → |
| James River At Lick Run | 595 cfs | → |
| Jackson River Bl Gathright Dam Nr Hot Spgs | 230 cfs | → |
| Jackson River Bl Dunlap Creek At Covington | 326 cfs | → |
| Dunlap Creek Near Covington | 37 cfs | → |
| Craig Creek At Parr | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clifton Forge Dam.
Boat launches
- Douthat State Park Road Bath County
- Walter Robinson Canoe Access Point
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
- Jackson River Canoe Access Points
- Walton Tract Canoe Access Point
Campgrounds
- Morris Hill Campground
- Serenity
- Greenwood Point Campground
- Mcclintic Point Campground
- Bolar Mountain Campground
- Bolar Mountain
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Cherokee Flats Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
- Segment A--State Route 39 At Blowing Springs Campground To Lake Moomaw
- Segment C--Southern Boundary Hidden Valley Tract To Mcclintic Bridge
- Segment B--Northern Boundary, Hidden Valley Tract To Southern Boundary Of Hidden Valley Tract
Track Clifton Forge 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 Clifton Forge Dam
Where does the data for Clifton Forge 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 Clifton Forge Dam.