Spring Vale Dam dam
Spring Vale Dam
Spring Vale Dam, located in Orange, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam standing at a height of 36.4 feet and stretching 1560 feet in length. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, specifically harnessing the waters of Mountain Run for various activities. With a storage capacity of 329 acre-feet and a surface area of 18 acres, Spring Vale Dam provides a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Spring Vale Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential. Despite this, its condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in November 2016. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in June 2008, and it is unclear whether it meets current guidelines. Water enthusiasts visiting Spring Vale Dam can appreciate its natural beauty while remaining aware of the potential risks associated with its significant hazard potential, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and preservation of this recreational water resource.
Situated within the Baltimore District, Spring Vale Dam offers a tranquil escape for visitors seeking outdoor activities in a scenic setting. While the dam's precise construction year is unknown, its presence along Mountain Run adds to the charm of the Orange, Virginia landscape. With its ample storage capacity and regulated state jurisdiction, Spring Vale Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty, serving as a reminder of the crucial role water resources play in our environment and the need for responsible stewardship to protect them for future generations.
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 Spring Vale Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 226 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Culpeper | 461 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 170 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River At Remington | 872 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 159 cfs | → |
| Hazel River At Rixeyville | 586 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Vale Dam.
Boat launches
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- Rogues Road Fauquier County
Campgrounds
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lake Anna State Park
- Lewis Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Lewis Mountain
- Lewis Mountain Campground
- Big Meadows - Shenandoah National Park
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Batzell Boat Launch
- White Sulphur Pond
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
Track Spring Vale 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 Spring Vale Dam
Where does the data for Spring Vale 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 Significant 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 Spring Vale Dam.