Smithleigh Dam dam
Smithleigh Dam
Smithleigh Dam, located in Augusta, Virginia, on the Middle River, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for water supply. Standing at a height of 22 feet with a length of 510 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 306 acre-feet, making it a crucial resource for the surrounding area. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
Although the hazard potential of the dam is currently labeled as "Undetermined" and its condition assessment is "Not Rated," Smithleigh Dam remains an essential structure for water management in the region. With a normal storage capacity of 69 acre-feet and a drainage area of 25 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in providing water supply to the local community. While there is limited information available on its management and emergency preparedness, the dam's presence is significant for both water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water infrastructure.
The dam's strategic location and purpose highlight its importance in maintaining water quality and supply in the area. As a key structure on the Middle River, Smithleigh Dam contributes to recreational activities and supports the ecosystem while ensuring a reliable water source for the community. With ongoing regulatory oversight and potential for future risk management measures, this dam serves as a focal point for water resource enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of infrastructure, climate resilience, and sustainable water management practices.
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 Smithleigh Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North River Near Stokesville | 2 cfs | → |
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| Calfpasture River Above Mill Creek At Goshen | 22 cfs | → |
| Bullpasture River At Williamsville | 32 cfs | → |
| Maury River At Rockbridge Baths | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smithleigh Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- North River Campground
- Todd Lake Recreation Area
- Shaws Fork Equestrian Campground
- Pmi Site 8 (Unused)
- Pmi Site 3
- Pmi Site 5
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Segment B--Northern Boundary, Hidden Valley Tract To Southern Boundary Of Hidden Valley Tract
- Segment B--Pump Storage Lake To Blowing Springs Campground
Track Smithleigh 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 Smithleigh Dam
Where does the data for Smithleigh 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 Smithleigh Dam.