The Willows Dam dam
The Willows Dam
The Willows Dam in Virginia is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Situated in Clarke County, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 65.44 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 33.48 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.4 acres, The Willows Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not being rated for condition assessment, The Willows Dam remains an essential piece of infrastructure in the region. While specific details about its construction and modification history are not available, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its operational safety and integrity. With its location in an environmentally sensitive area, The Willows Dam highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources in the face of changing climate patterns.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, The Willows Dam presents a fascinating case study of a privately owned structure with significant storage capacity and regulatory oversight. Its presence in the Baltimore District and association with the Department of Conservation and Recreation underscore the collaborative efforts required to manage water resources effectively. As discussions around climate change and water management continue to evolve, The Willows Dam serves as a tangible example of the intersection between infrastructure, regulation, and environmental stewardship.
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 The Willows Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 8 cfs | → |
| Opequon Creek Near Berryville | 14 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Dry Marsh Run Near Berryville | 4 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 5 cfs | → |
| N F Goose Creek At Rt 729 Near Lincoln | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near The Willows Dam.
Boat launches
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- River Haven Drive Jefferson County
- Shannondale Springs Road 199, Jefferson County
- Bloomery Road 742, Jefferson County
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- White Sulphur Pond
- Moody Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
Track The Willows 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 The Willows Dam
Where does the data for The Willows 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 The Willows Dam.