Mountain Valley Lake Dam dam
Mountain Valley Lake Dam
Mountain Valley Lake Dam, also known as Foley Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Henry, Virginia. This recreational dam stands at a height of 41.81 feet and spans a length of 540 feet, creating a surface area of 17 acres. Situated on Leatherwood Creek, the dam provides not only a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts but also serves as a vital resource for water storage, with a maximum capacity of 351 acre-feet.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Mountain Valley Lake Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and compliance with state guidelines. Although its hazard potential is labeled as undetermined and its condition has not been rated, the dam's emergency action plan readiness, risk assessment, and management measures remain unassigned. Despite these uncertainties, the dam continues to be a popular spot for recreational activities, offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy.
With its picturesque location and recreational purposes, Mountain Valley Lake Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of water resource management and climate sustainability. As water and climate enthusiasts explore the depths of Leatherwood Creek and witness the beauty of this earth dam, they are reminded of the importance of preserving such natural wonders for future generations to enjoy.
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 Mountain Valley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 170 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 177 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Danville | 24 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 126 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Valley Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- State Park Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Goose Dam
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
- Fairy Stone State Park
Fishing spots
Track Mountain Valley Lake 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 Mountain Valley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mountain Valley Lake 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 Mountain Valley Lake Dam.