Braswell's Dam dam
Braswell's Dam
Braswell's Dam, located in Patrick County, Virginia, is a private earth dam constructed on the Dan River with the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 32.5 feet and stretching 900 feet in length, the dam provides a storage capacity of 205.01 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 132.84 acre-feet. The dam's Hazard Potential is classified as high, but its overall Condition Assessment is rated as fair.
While the dam is privately owned, it falls under state regulation and oversight by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. It is regularly inspected, with the last assessment conducted in February 2015. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are currently unspecified, leaving room for further evaluation and potential improvements to enhance safety and environmental protection.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Braswell's Dam offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of human recreation and environmental stewardship. As a key feature on the Dan River, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing water resources for leisure activities and ensuring the safety and sustainability of our natural ecosystems. Ongoing monitoring and proactive measures will be crucial in safeguarding the dam's integrity and minimizing potential risks in the face of changing environmental 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 Braswell's Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Smith Riv Church Nr Woolwine | 12 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 59 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 126 cfs | → |
| South Mayo River Near Nettleridge | 26 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
| Little River At Graysontown | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Braswell's Dam.
Boat launches
- Julia Simpkins Road 1711, Pulaski County
- Ben H. Bolen Drive 6620, Dublin
- Little River Dam Road Radford City
- Brown Road 2598, Pulaski County
- Hidden Valley Pulaski County
- Beach Drive 6833, Pulaski County
Campgrounds
- Rocky Knob
- Rocky Knob Campground
- Rocky Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Willville Motorcycle Campground
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Ryans Branch - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
More reservoirs
Track Braswell's 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 Braswell's Dam
Where does the data for Braswell's 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 High 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 Braswell's Dam.