Mullins Dam dam
Mullins Dam
Mullins Dam, located in Dickenson County, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 51 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes along the TRIB-POUND RIVER. With a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.8 acres, Mullins Dam provides a serene landscape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Mullins Dam has not been rated for its condition since its last inspection in August 2006. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps are also listed as unknown. Nonetheless, with its idyllic setting and contribution to local water resources, Mullins Dam remains a noteworthy site for those interested in the intersection of infrastructure, climate, and recreation in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the impact of dams on local ecosystems and water management, Mullins Dam offers a case study in private ownership and state regulation. With its historic construction year unknown, the dam's design and purpose continue to shape the landscape near Dickenson, Virginia. While questions about its maintenance and emergency preparedness linger, Mullins Dam stands as a testament to the importance of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship in the face of climate change.
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 Mullins Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cranes Nest River Near Clintwood | 29 cfs | → |
| Pound River Below Flannagan Dam Near Haysi | 26 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Bartlick | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Haysi | 467 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| Guest River At Coeburn | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mullins Dam.
Boat launches
- Lick Creek Pike County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Big Cherry Road Wise County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
Campgrounds
- Pound River - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
- Mullins Pond Campsite
- Jack Sutter Campsite
- Cranesnest - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
- Indian Grave Campsite
- Cane Patch Campground
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
Track Mullins 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 Mullins Dam
Where does the data for Mullins 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 Low 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 Mullins Dam.