Barr Dam dam
Barr Dam
Barr Dam, located in Fauquier, Virginia, on Buck Run, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a length of 505 feet, providing a storage capacity of 554 acre-feet. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring its safety and compliance with state guidelines.
With a hazard potential rated as significant, Barr Dam poses a risk that is closely monitored through regular inspections. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the last inspection in June 2015 indicated that emergency action plans have been prepared and updated in accordance with guidelines. The dam's location within the Baltimore District underlines its importance as a water resource for the region, highlighting the need for effective risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Overall, Barr Dam serves as a crucial recreational resource in Virginia, offering opportunities for outdoor activities while also requiring diligent oversight to mitigate potential hazards. The dam's presence on Buck Run contributes to water storage and management in the area, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and adherence to regulatory standards. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role and condition of dams like Barr Dam is essential for promoting sustainable water practices and safeguarding against potential risks in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Barr Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Run Near Laurel Mills | 5 cfs | → |
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 69 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River At Front Royal | 478 cfs | → |
| Passage Creek Near Buckton | 13 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 20 cfs | → |
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barr Dam.
Boat launches
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Boat Ramp Warren County
- Misty Meadow Lane Warren County
- Rogues Road Fauquier County
- Seekford Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Mosby Campground
- Camp Washington
- Camp Slater
- Mathews Arm - Shenandoah National Park
- Mathews Arm Campground
- Mathews Arm
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- White Sulphur Pond
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
Track Barr 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 Barr Dam
Where does the data for Barr 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 Significant 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 Barr Dam.