Radford Dam dam
Radford Dam
Radford Dam, located in Patrick, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 32 feet with a length of 380 feet, this earth dam provides storage for 23 acre-feet of water, with a normal storage capacity of 19 acre-feet. The dam, built by the Huntington District, has a hazard potential that is currently undetermined and its condition is not rated.
Despite the lack of specific details on its construction date and purpose, Radford Dam remains a key component of water resource management in the region. The dam's location at coordinates 36.5648° N, -80.4935° W underscores its importance in providing water storage and flood control in the area. With state-regulated inspection, permitting, and enforcement in place, the dam plays a critical role in water resource and climate resilience efforts in Virginia.
While additional information on Radford Dam's history and operations may be needed to fully assess its impact, its presence as a regulated and inspected structure highlights its significance in ensuring water security and safety for the community. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of infrastructure like Radford Dam is essential in promoting sustainable water management practices and mitigating climate-related risks in the region.
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 Radford Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River Near Francisco | 59 cfs | → |
| Ararat River At Ararat | 110 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 7 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Smith Riv Church Nr Woolwine | 12 cfs | → |
| South Mayo River Near Nettleridge | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Radford Dam.
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
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
Campgrounds
- Willville Motorcycle Campground
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Rocky Knob
- Rocky Knob Campground
Fishing spots
Track Radford 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 Radford Dam
Where does the data for Radford 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 Radford Dam.