Crippen Dam dam
Crippen Dam
Crippen Dam, also known as Stump Dump Landfill Dam, is a private dam located in Fairfax, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and stretches 130 feet in length. It serves a primary purpose classified as 'Other', with a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.25 square miles along the TR-Nichols Run river or stream.
The dam's hazard potential is marked as 'Undetermined' and its condition assessment is 'Not Rated', with the last inspection conducted in March 2013. Crippen Dam has a state-regulated status, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement all within the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk assessment measures are currently not available, suggesting a need for further evaluation and preparedness in case of any potential incidents or emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Crippen Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation in Virginia. With its unique history as a former landfill dam, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and assessment to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. As discussions around water infrastructure and climate resilience continue to gain importance, Crippen Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that proper maintenance and regulatory oversight play in safeguarding our water resources and communities.
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 Crippen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 7 cfs | → |
| Broad Run Near Leesburg | 24 cfs | → |
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 114 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 1,980 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 28 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crippen Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Crippen Dam
Where does the data for Crippen 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 below 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.
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.