Lake Brittle Dam dam
Lake Brittle Dam
Lake Brittle Dam in Fauquier, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 35 feet and with a length of 910 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a storage capacity of 1540 acre-feet. Situated on South Run, this dam has a surface area of 77 acres and a drainage area of 4.8 square miles.
With a high hazard potential, Lake Brittle Dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition as of February 2020. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one occurring in February 2020. Despite the potential risks associated with the dam, it serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region, offering opportunities for various outdoor activities. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in January 2015, ensuring preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
Lake Brittle Dam stands as a vital water resource infrastructure in Virginia, providing not only recreational benefits but also serving as a key component in the region's water management system. Its strategic location and design make it a significant asset for the community, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring its condition to ensure the safety of both the dam and the surrounding area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Brittle Dam presents an intriguing case study in sustainable water management practices and the intersection of infrastructure with natural ecosystems.
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 Lake Brittle Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 3 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River At Remington | 59 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 9 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 43 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Brittle 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 Lake Brittle Dam
Where does the data for Lake Brittle 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.