Claytor dam
Claytor
Claytor Dam, located in Pulaski, Virginia, is a gravity dam completed in 1939 primarily for hydroelectric power generation. With a height of 93.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 122 feet, the dam boasts a structural height of 139 feet and a storage capacity of 232,000 acre-feet. The dam's reservoir covers a surface area of 4,472 acres and serves multiple purposes including navigation, recreation, and water supply in addition to its hydroelectric function.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Claytor Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location on the New River, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1,043,800 cubic feet per second. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 450 feet and is equipped with nine vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its risk assessment is classified as very high, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability.
As a key landmark in the region, Claytor Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts. Its strategic location and multiple uses underscore the importance of balancing energy production with environmental conservation and recreational opportunities. With its rich history and significant impact on the surrounding area, Claytor Dam stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of water resource engineers in harnessing the power of nature for the benefit of society.
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 Claytor -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Graysontown | 113 cfs | → |
| New River At Radford | 942 cfs | → |
| New River At Allisonia | 922 cfs | → |
| Walker Creek At Bane | 54 cfs | → |
| S F Roanoke River Near Shawsville | 25 cfs | → |
| Reed Creek At Grahams Forge | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Claytor .
Boat launches
- Little River Dam Road Radford City
- Ben H. Bolen Drive 6620, Dublin
- Hidden Valley Pulaski County
- Beach Drive 6833, Pulaski County
- New River Drive Radford City
- Whitethorne Road 5269, Montgomery County
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- Bluestone Dam To Gauley Bridge
- Bluestone Dam To Sandstone
Track Claytor 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 Claytor
Where does the data for Claytor 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 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 Claytor .