Merry Oak Dam dam
Merry Oak Dam
Merry Oak Dam in Fauquier, Virginia is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes, with a height of 23 feet and a length of 900 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 114 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 158 acre-feet, serving as a key feature along TR-Broad Run. While the hazard potential of the dam is currently undetermined, it is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Located in a picturesque setting, Merry Oak Dam offers visitors a tranquil oasis for outdoor activities and water recreation. Its strategic position along TR-Broad Run makes it a popular spot for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Despite its undetermined hazard potential, the dam's structural integrity is regularly monitored and inspected, with emergency action plans likely in place to mitigate risks and ensure public safety in case of emergencies. The dam's design and construction reflect a commitment to both functionality and environmental sustainability, enhancing the overall recreational experience for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area.
As a private entity, Merry Oak Dam contributes to the conservation and management of water resources in Fauquier, Virginia, offering a valuable recreational space while also serving as an important component of the local ecosystem. With its capacity for water storage and controlled discharge, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control along TR-Broad Run, while also providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor enjoyment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area, Merry Oak Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and natural conservation efforts in the region.
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 Merry Oak Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 54 cfs | → |
| Battle Run Near Laurel Mills | 4 cfs | → |
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 3 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 5 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River At Remington | 126 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merry Oak Dam.
Boat launches
- Rogues Road Fauquier County
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Doves Trail Prince William County
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- White Sulphur Pond
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
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 Merry Oak 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 Merry Oak Dam
Where does the data for Merry Oak 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 Merry Oak Dam.