Pohick Creek Dam #3 dam
Pohick Creek Dam #3
Pohick Creek Dam #3, also known as Woodglen Lake, is a vital structure located in Fairfax, Virginia, designed for flood risk reduction along the TR-Sideburn Branch. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 38 feet and stretches 700 feet in length, serving a critical purpose in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential water-related hazards. With a storage capacity of 960 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.15 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
Operated by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Pohick Creek Dam #3 has been deemed to have a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in October 2020. The dam's normal storage capacity is 380 acre-feet, providing opportunities for recreational use in addition to its primary function of flood risk reduction. While its last inspection date was in October 2020, the dam's emergency action plan preparation status and adherence to guidelines remain unspecified, highlighting areas for potential improvement in emergency response readiness.
Situated within the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Pohick Creek Dam #3 stands as a testament to effective water resource management in the region. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and water levels, the importance of maintaining and updating infrastructure like Pohick Creek Dam #3 becomes increasingly apparent in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the threats of flooding and water-related emergencies.
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 Pohick Creek Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 1 cfs | → |
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 3 cfs | → |
| Cameron Run At Alexandria | 6 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 11 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Run At Alexandria | 3 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 2,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pohick Creek Dam #3.
Boat launches
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Doves Trail Prince William County
- Ludgate Drive Mount Vernon
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
- Wayne F Anderson Bikeway Alexandria
Campgrounds
- Burke Lake Park
- Bull Run Regional Park
- Lake Fairfax
- Fort Belvoir Travel And Rv Camp
- Pohick Bay Regional Park
- Marsden Tract Campground
Fishing spots
- Maddox Branch
- Davis Branch (Historical)
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
- Georgetown Reservoir
- Washington Aqueduct
- Dalecarlia Reservoir
Track Pohick Creek Dam #3 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 Pohick Creek Dam #3
Where does the data for Pohick Creek Dam #3 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 High 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 Pohick Creek Dam #3.