Mathews Dam dam
Mathews Dam
Mathews Dam, located in Fauquier, Virginia, along the TR-Gap Run river, is a privately owned structure primarily built for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 20 feet with a length of 800 feet, this earth dam offers a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 72 acre-feet. The dam, constructed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, is regulated by the state and undergoes regular inspections, ensuring its safety and functionality for both recreational and environmental purposes.
Although the hazard potential of Mathews Dam is considered undetermined and its condition is not rated, the structure meets state regulatory guidelines and has not required any emergency action plans thus far. With its picturesque location and ample storage capacity, the dam provides opportunities for activities such as boating, fishing, and wildlife observation. While details about the dam's construction date and modifications remain unspecified, its presence along the TR-Gap Run river contributes to the overall water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As a notable feature within the Baltimore District, Mathews Dam reflects the commitment to water conservation and recreational access in Virginia. With its state-regulated status and adherence to inspection protocols, the dam serves as a vital resource for both residents and visitors, highlighting the importance of responsible dam ownership and management. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the surrounding area, Mathews Dam stands as a symbol of collaboration between private ownership, state agencies, and environmental stewardship to ensure the sustainable use of water resources for future generations.
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 Mathews Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 8 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 6 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River At Front Royal | 405 cfs | → |
| Opequon Creek Near Berryville | 14 cfs | → |
| Dry Marsh Run Near Berryville | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mathews Dam.
Boat launches
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
- River Haven Drive Jefferson County
- Shannondale Springs Road 199, Jefferson County
- Bloomery Road 742, Jefferson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
- White Sulphur Pond
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Potomac River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- 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
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- 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 Mathews 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 Mathews Dam
Where does the data for Mathews 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 Mathews Dam.