Thompson Dam dam
Thompson Dam
Thompson Dam, located in Fauquier, Virginia, along the Crooked Run River, stands as a vital water resource for the region. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth-type dam boasts a height of 52 feet and a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet, providing a serene surface area of 10 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Despite its significance for recreational activities, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential, indicating a pressing need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
Managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Thompson Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to uphold safety standards and environmental protection measures. The dam's last inspection in February 2020 revealed its deteriorating condition, highlighting the urgent need for structural improvements and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the dam's resilience in the face of changing climate patterns. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the preservation and enhancement of Thompson Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding water security and supporting sustainable recreation opportunities for future generations.
In light of the dam's high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, stakeholders and regulatory agencies must prioritize collaborative efforts to address the dam's maintenance needs, implement risk management measures, and develop emergency preparedness plans to protect downstream communities in the event of a dam failure. With a focus on enhancing infrastructure resilience and water resource management, Thompson Dam serves as a critical focal point for climate resilience initiatives and sustainable water governance in the region, emphasizing the importance of proactive maintenance and investment in safeguarding vital water resources for the well-being of both present and future generations.
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 Thompson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 6 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 9 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River At Front Royal | 323 cfs | → |
| Passage Creek Near Buckton | 9 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 1 cfs | → |
| Opequon Creek Near Berryville | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson 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 Thompson Dam
Where does the data for Thompson 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 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 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.