Hancock Dam dam
Hancock Dam
Hancock Dam, located in Patrick, Virginia, is a privately-owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 38 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 142 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 107 acre-feet. The dam covers a surface area of 7.9 acres and is regulated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement compliance.
While the hazard potential of Hancock Dam is currently undetermined and its condition assessment is not rated, the dam has a designated inspection frequency of 1. Emergency action plans, risk assessments, and inundation maps are yet to be prepared or updated. Despite these gaps in readiness, Hancock Dam remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational opportunities in the surrounding area. With its picturesque location and serene atmosphere, the dam offers a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
As part of the Huntington District, Hancock Dam is a vital piece of infrastructure within the region, contributing to the local economy and providing a source of leisure for residents and visitors. With its scenic views and recreational offerings, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of water resources in sustaining both human enjoyment and environmental balance. As efforts continue to improve the dam's safety measures and emergency preparedness, Hancock Dam stands as a symbol of the intersection between human ingenuity and natural beauty in the face of climate challenges.
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 Hancock Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Mayo River Near Nettleridge | 26 cfs | → |
| Mayo River Near Price | 105 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 33 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 59 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Martinsville | 170 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 140 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hancock Dam.
Boat launches
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
Campgrounds
- Sunset Park Campground
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Track Hancock 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 Hancock Dam
Where does the data for Hancock 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 Hancock Dam.