Smith River Dam dam
Smith River Dam
Smith River Dam, located in Henry, Virginia, is a gravity dam on the Smith River primarily used for hydroelectric purposes. Standing at a height of 38 feet and with a length of 538 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 2600 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 55.6 acres. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment of Smith River Dam is rated as fair, with the last inspection conducted in August 2014. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in January 2016, indicating preparedness in case of any unforeseen events. With its location in the Wilmington District and oversight by local government authorities, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Smith River Dam a fascinating structure, not only for its hydroelectric significance but also for its role in maintaining water levels and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities. As a key piece of infrastructure in Virginia, the dam's operational efficiency and regulatory compliance showcase a commitment to sustainable water management practices and environmental stewardship.
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 Smith River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 170 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 33 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
| Mayo River Near Price | 105 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 126 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 177 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith River Dam.
Boat launches
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
- Goose Dam
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Track Smith River 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 Smith River Dam
Where does the data for Smith River 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 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 Smith River Dam.