Reusens dam
Reusens
Reusens is a historic hydroelectric dam located in Lynchburg, Virginia, along the James River. Built in 1903, this gravity dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a hydraulic height of 32 feet. With a storage capacity of 6,870 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 215,000 cubic feet per second, Reusens plays a crucial role in providing hydroelectric power to the region.
Managed by a public utility, Reusens is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway, with a width of 486 feet, is controlled to manage water flow during periods of high discharge. Despite its age, Reusens remains a significant asset for water resource management and climate enthusiasts, serving as a key component in the region's energy infrastructure.
With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Reusens requires careful monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate potential threats. Although the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, its emergency action plan is periodically updated to meet guidelines and ensure preparedness for any unforeseen events. As a vital piece of infrastructure in the area, Reusens continues to be a focal point for water resource experts and climate advocates alike, highlighting the intersection of energy production, water management, and environmental stewardship.
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 Reusens -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 604 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 6 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Piney River | 8 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 30 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 551 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reusens .
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Reusens
Where does the data for Reusens 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 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.