Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam
Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam
Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam, located in Prince William, Virginia, serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction along the Rocky Branch stream. This privately-owned dam, standing at a height of 21.5 feet and spanning 935 feet in length, has a maximum storage capacity of 375.9 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 4.3 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 1.15 acres. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
Although the dam's hazard potential is classified as high, its condition assessment as of April 2021 was deemed satisfactory. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the dam was last updated in August 2018, with a yearly inspection frequency to maintain its safety standards. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, aligning with its design as an earth dam. The presence of this dam not only helps mitigate flood risks in the area but also contributes to the overall water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the critical role of Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam in safeguarding the surrounding communities from flooding is paramount. By highlighting the dam's key features, regulatory oversight, and emergency preparedness measures, we can appreciate the significant efforts put into managing water resources and enhancing resilience against climate-related hazards. This dam stands as a testament to proactive infrastructure development and maintenance in the face of changing environmental conditions, underscoring the importance of sustainable water management practices for a more resilient future.
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 Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 4 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 31 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 4 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 2 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam.
Boat launches
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Rocky Branch Regional Swm Dam
Where does the data for Rocky Branch Regional Swm 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 below 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.
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.