Willis Dam dam
Willis Dam
Located in Culpeper, Virginia, Willis Dam is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including irrigation and recreation. The dam, constructed as an earth type, stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Balds Run river, the dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring its safety and compliance with environmental standards.
While the condition assessment of Willis Dam is currently marked as "Not Rated" and its hazard potential is deemed "Undetermined," the dam remains an essential resource for water management in the region. Although the exact year of completion and other details such as spillway type and outlet gates are not specified, the dam's presence contributes to the overall water infrastructure in the area. With its strategic location and capacity for storing water, Willis Dam plays a crucial role in supporting irrigation activities and providing opportunities for recreational activities along the river.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and assess the impact of infrastructure like Willis Dam, the structure underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its position within the Baltimore District and under state jurisdiction, Willis Dam represents a collaborative effort between private ownership and governmental oversight to ensure the efficient use of water resources for irrigation while also promoting recreational use. As efforts to assess and maintain the condition of Willis Dam progress, its significance in water resource management in Culpeper, Virginia, remains a focal point for conservation and sustainability initiatives.
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 Willis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 54 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Culpeper | 102 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River At Remington | 126 cfs | → |
| Battle Run Near Laurel Mills | 4 cfs | → |
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 43 cfs | → |
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willis Dam.
Boat launches
- Rogues Road Fauquier County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Seekford Boat Launch
- Page County
Campgrounds
- Range View Cabin
- Mathews Arm - Shenandoah National Park
- Big Meadows - Shenandoah National Park
- Mathews Arm
- Mathews Arm Campground
- Lewis Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
Fishing spots
- Moody Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Batzell Boat Launch
- White Sulphur Pond
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
Track Willis 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 Willis Dam
Where does the data for Willis 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 Willis Dam.