Watermill Road Dam dam
Watermill Road Dam
Watermill Road Dam, located in Loudoun, Virginia, is a privately owned structure designed for flood risk reduction along the Beaverdam Creek tributary. Standing at a height of 23 feet and stretching 267 feet in length, this earth dam provides a storage capacity of 87.1 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 30.4 acre-feet. The dam, regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the area.
Although the hazard potential and condition assessment of Watermill Road Dam remain undetermined and not rated, respectively, the dam is regularly inspected with a frequency of once per year. The emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are yet to be determined, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of this vital flood control structure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and improvement of dams like Watermill Road Dam are essential for ensuring the safety and resilience of communities in the face of extreme weather events.
In the absence of a designated emergency action plan and with the risk assessment status unknown, stakeholders must prioritize the development of comprehensive risk management measures for Watermill Road Dam. Collaborative efforts between the private owner, regulatory agencies, and local authorities are crucial to address any potential hazards and ensure the long-term effectiveness of this flood control structure. As water resources and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to advocate for the proper maintenance and management of dams like Watermill Road Dam to safeguard communities and ecosystems against the growing threats of climate change.
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 Watermill Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 5 cfs | → |
| N F Goose Creek At Rt 729 Near Lincoln | 8 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 46 cfs | → |
| S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford | 4 cfs | → |
| N F Catoctin Creek At Rt 681 Near Waterford | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watermill Road Dam.
Boat launches
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- Smart's Mill Rd (Private) Leesburg
- River Haven Drive Jefferson County
- Shannondale Springs Road 199, Jefferson County
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Culler Lake
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- Washington Aqueduct
- Dalecarlia Reservoir
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
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
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
Track Watermill Road 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 Watermill Road Dam
Where does the data for Watermill Road 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 Watermill Road Dam.