Lonesome Gulch Dam dam
Lonesome Gulch Dam
Lonesome Gulch Dam, located in Caroline, Virginia, is a Federal-owned structure on Cattlet Creek with a primary purpose classified as "Other." This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. The dam's hazard potential is currently labeled as "Undetermined," with a condition assessment of "Not Rated."
Despite lacking certain data such as the year of completion and details on the spillway, Lonesome Gulch Dam remains an intriguing site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's location within the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers adds to its significance, with Congressman Robert J. Wittman representing the area. The dam's contribution to the local ecosystem and water management in the region is vital, although its inspection frequency and emergency preparedness status are currently unspecified.
With its captivating name and unique features, Lonesome Gulch Dam serves as a focal point for further exploration and research in the realm of water resource management. As an Earth-type dam with a modest structural height, this Federal-owned structure presents opportunities for studying the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems. While some aspects of the dam's history and safety protocols remain unclear, its role in the local landscape of Caroline, Virginia, invites a closer look at the interplay between water resources, climate dynamics, and engineering 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 Lonesome Gulch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 26 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 5 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 235 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 51 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 47 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lonesome Gulch Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Lake Anna State Park
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
Fishing spots
Track Lonesome Gulch 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 Lonesome Gulch Dam
Where does the data for Lonesome Gulch 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 Lonesome Gulch Dam.