Ridgetop Dam dam
Ridgetop Dam
Ridgetop Dam, located in Lee County, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure under the supervision of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 32 feet, this dam serves a primary purpose that is yet to be specified. With a storage capacity of 93.95 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 46.6 acre-feet, Ridgetop Dam covers a surface area of 5.01 acres.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and unassessed condition, Ridgetop Dam has not been rated for its structural integrity. The last inspection date, condition assessment, and emergency preparedness details are not available. While the risk management measures and emergency action plan status remain undisclosed, the dam's condition and potential risks pose unknown challenges to water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As an enigmatic structure with limited information on its operation and safety protocols, Ridgetop Dam presents an intriguing case for further exploration and evaluation by those interested in water resource management and climate adaptation strategies. The lack of specific details on its purposes, design features, and risk assessment highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment to ensure the safety and sustainability of this water resource infrastructure in Virginia.
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 Ridgetop Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Powell River Near Jonesville | 241 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Near Looneys Gap | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Near Smith | 29 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Above Smith | 51 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Rogersville | 32 cfs | → |
| Clinch River At Speers Ferry | 1,210 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ridgetop Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- Long Bend Road, Surgoinsville
- 2nd Avenue Scott County
- Malinda Ferry Road, Rogersville
- Beech Creek Boat Ramp
- T V A Road, Rogersville
Campgrounds
- Natural Tunnel State Park
- Martins Fork Cabin
- Portal 31 Rv Park
- Gibson Gap
- Cherokee Lake County Park
- Wilderness Road - Cumberland Gap National Park
Fishing spots
- Lake Keokee Day Use Area
- Bark Camp Recreation Area
- Dillard Place
- Moses Turn
- Allen Branch Pond
- Nolichucky River
Track Ridgetop 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 Ridgetop Dam
Where does the data for Ridgetop 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 Ridgetop Dam.