Potomac Lake Dam dam
Potomac Lake Dam
Potomac Lake Dam, also known as Palisade Parkway Embankment with Embedded Utilities, is a privately owned structure located in Loudoun, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dam is designed for flood risk reduction and stands at a height of 25 feet with a length of 280 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 149.2 acre-feet and serves to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Although the hazard potential and condition assessment of the Potomac Lake Dam are currently listed as undetermined and not rated, respectively, the dam is regularly inspected by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being a privately owned structure, the state of Virginia is actively involved in permitting, inspecting, and enforcing regulations related to the dam's operation. The dam's purpose of flood risk reduction underscores its critical role in safeguarding the local community from water-related disasters.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Potomac Lake Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam management and flood risk reduction strategies. Located in a picturesque setting in Loudoun, Virginia, this earth dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region. With its state-regulated status and focus on safety and compliance, the dam represents a significant commitment to protecting the environment and local communities from the impacts of potential flood events.
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 Potomac Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Run Near Leesburg | 21 cfs | → |
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 40 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 51 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 12 cfs | → |
| Limestone Branch Near Leesburg | 2 cfs | → |
| N F Goose Creek At Rt 729 Near Lincoln | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potomac Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- Rileys Lock Road Darnestown
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Potomac Hills Street Fairfax County
- Smart's Mill Rd (Private) Leesburg
- Clarksburg Road Germantown
Campgrounds
- Horsepen Branch
- Horsepen Branch Campsite
- Chisel Branch Campsite
- Chisel Branch
- Lake Fairfax
- Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
Fishing spots
- Washington Aqueduct
- Dalecarlia Reservoir
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
- Davis Branch (Historical)
- Maddox Branch
- Georgetown Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
Track Potomac 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 Potomac Lake Dam
Where does the data for Potomac 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 Potomac Lake Dam.