Coles Run Dam dam
Coles Run Dam
Coles Run Dam, located in Augusta, Virginia, is a crucial structure owned by the local government for water supply purposes. Standing at a height of 65 feet with a length of 540 feet, this earth dam plays a pivotal role in managing the flow of the Coles Run river. With a storage capacity of 256 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.61 square miles, the dam serves as a vital resource for water management in the region.
The dam has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, but its condition assessment as of November 2020 was reported as satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and functionality, with the last inspection taking place in November 2020. Despite its age and potential risks, Coles Run Dam continues to meet regulatory standards and is equipped with emergency action plans to mitigate any potential threats. As a key component in the local water supply infrastructure, the dam remains a critical asset for water resource management and climate resilience in the area.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Coles Run Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, the dam plays a vital role in ensuring water security for the surrounding communities. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience, the Coles Run Dam presents an intriguing case study in balancing the need for water supply with the imperative of ensuring dam safety and regulatory compliance.
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 Coles Run Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 24 cfs | → |
| Tye River Near Lovingston | 27 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Piney River | 17 cfs | → |
| South River At Harriston | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coles Run Dam.
Boat launches
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
Track Coles Run 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 Coles Run Dam
Where does the data for Coles Run 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 Coles Run Dam.