Fisher Dam dam
Fisher Dam
Fisher Dam, located in Henry County, Virginia, is a local government-owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. This gravity dam stands at a height of 32 feet and stretches 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Situated on the Marrowbone Creek, a tributary of the Smith River, Fisher Dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community while also contributing to water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Fisher Dam has been deemed to have low hazard potential, with its condition last assessed in October 2006. Being state-regulated and inspected, the dam ensures safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Despite not being rated for its condition assessment, Fisher Dam continues to serve as a valuable asset for water storage and recreational activities in the area, with a surface area of 4 acres and a drainage area of 35.3 square miles.
With its picturesque location and vital role in water resource management, Fisher Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of environmental conservation and recreational enjoyment. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, Fisher Dam provides an intriguing case study of how infrastructure can serve multiple purposes, from flood control to leisure activities, all while being regulated and maintained to ensure safety and sustainability for the surrounding community.
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 Fisher Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 121 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 204 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 34 cfs | → |
| Mayo River Near Price | 110 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Wentworth | 290 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fisher Dam.
Boat launches
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
Campgrounds
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Goose Dam
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Fisher 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 Fisher Dam
Where does the data for Fisher 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 Low 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 Fisher Dam.