Blanken Dam dam
Blanken Dam
Blanken Dam, located in Lee, Virginia, stands as a crucial water resource management infrastructure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. With a height of 29 feet and a storage capacity of 99.76 acre-feet, this dam plays a vital role in regulating water flow and storage in the region. Despite being labeled as "Undetermined" in terms of hazard potential and "Not Rated" in condition assessment, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
The dam's primary purpose and specific design details are not provided in the data, but its presence signifies the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in Virginia. Situated at a latitude of 36.6655 and longitude of -83.0794, Blanken Dam serves as a significant landmark in the region, impacting not just water flow but also the surrounding ecosystem and community. As part of the Huntington and Louisville Districts, the dam's management involves various federal and state agencies, highlighting the collaborative efforts in maintaining water infrastructure.
While specific information such as the dam's construction year, spillway type, and associated structures is lacking, Blanken Dam's significance lies in its role as a water storage and regulation mechanism in Virginia. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the intricacies of such infrastructure sheds light on the complexities of managing water resources for sustainable development and environmental protection. Moving forward, continued monitoring and maintenance of Blanken Dam will be essential to ensure its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Blanken 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 Blanken Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- Long Bend Road, Surgoinsville
- 2nd Avenue Scott County
- Beech Creek Boat Ramp
- Malinda Ferry Road, Rogersville
- T V A Road, Rogersville
Campgrounds
- Natural Tunnel State Park
- Portal 31 Rv Park
- Martins Fork Cabin
- Gibson Gap
- Flag Rock Recreation Area
- High Knob
Fishing spots
- Lake Keokee Day Use Area
- Bark Camp Recreation Area
- Dillard Place
- Moses Turn
- Allen Branch Pond
- Nolichucky River
Track Blanken 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 Blanken Dam
Where does the data for Blanken 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 Blanken Dam.