Ararat River Dam #69 dam
Ararat River Dam #69
Ararat River Dam #69, located in Patrick County, Virginia, is a vital structure managed by the local government to address flood risk reduction along the tributary of Ararat River. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 38.6 feet and has a storage capacity of 114 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 21 acre-feet. It covers a surface area of 2.9 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.48 square miles.
While the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, it is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring proper inspection, enforcement, and permitting processes are in place. The last inspection of Ararat River Dam #69 was conducted in June 2002, with a regular inspection frequency of once per year. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, signaling a need for updated evaluations to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk management.
With its strategic location and purpose-built design, Ararat River Dam #69 plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding events. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring and maintaining the integrity of this dam is essential to protecting the local community and environment from the impacts of natural disasters.
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 Ararat River Dam #69 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ararat River At Ararat | 78 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 57 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Smith Riv Church Nr Woolwine | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 5 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ararat River Dam #69.
Boat launches
- Pattons Mill Lane 1434, Grayson County
- New River Trail Carroll County
- Julia Simpkins Road 1711, Pulaski County
- Va 100 Wythe County
- Riverside Boat Ramp
- Ivanhoe Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Willville Motorcycle Campground
- Rocky Knob
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Rocky Knob Campground
- Rocky Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ararat River Dam #69 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 Ararat River Dam #69
Where does the data for Ararat River Dam #69 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 Low 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 Ararat River Dam #69.