Brushy Mountain Dam dam
Brushy Mountain Dam
Brushy Mountain Dam, located in Pittsylvania, Virginia, is a privately-owned earth dam nestled along the TR-Little Sycamore Creek. Built for recreational purposes, this dam stands at a height of 29.5 feet and stretches 460 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring state inspection, permitting, and enforcement protocols are in place to maintain its integrity.
With a normal storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres, Brushy Mountain Dam provides a scenic spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based recreational activities. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications since its completion, regular inspections are conducted to uphold safety standards. The last assessment in August 2019 deemed the dam to be in satisfactory condition, with emergency action plans in place dating back to 1997 to address any unforeseen risks or incidents.
Given its tranquil setting and low risk profile, Brushy Mountain Dam serves as a haven for those seeking leisure and relaxation in the midst of Virginia's natural beauty. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area, the dam stands as a testament to responsible dam management practices, ensuring both safety and enjoyment for all who visit its peaceful waters.
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 Brushy Mountain Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 157 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Brookneal | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Falling River Near Naruna | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brushy Mountain Dam.
Boat launches
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
Track Brushy Mountain 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 Brushy Mountain Dam
Where does the data for Brushy Mountain 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 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 Brushy Mountain Dam.