Lower North River # 78 dam
Lower North River # 78
Lower North River # 78, also known as Briery Branch Dam, is a vital water resource infrastructure located in Rockingham, Virginia. Owned by the local government, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Briery Branch stream. Standing at a towering height of 89 feet and spanning 762 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 2550 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 32.2 acres, providing essential protection to the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed and regulated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Lower North River # 78 has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, yet maintains a satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in April 2018. Despite its critical role in flood risk mitigation, the dam lacks certain features such as a spillway type and outlet gates, raising concerns about its operational effectiveness in extreme scenarios. With the last inspection conducted in 2018 and a designated inspection frequency of once per year, ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts are crucial to ensure the continued safety and functionality of this essential water infrastructure.
As a significant component of the local water management system, Lower North River # 78 plays a vital role in safeguarding the community from potential flood risks along the Briery Branch stream. With its strategic location and substantial storage capacity, the dam stands as a key asset in the region's resilience against natural disasters. Continuous oversight and adherence to regulatory standards are essential to uphold the structural integrity and operational efficiency of this critical infrastructure for the long-term benefit of the surrounding area and its residents.
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 Lower North River # 78 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North River Near Stokesville | 2 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Mount Clinton | 1 cfs | → |
| So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine | 10 cfs | → |
| North River Near Burketown | 105 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River At Franklin | 33 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Grottoes | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower North River # 78.
Boat launches
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Buffalo Fork Road Pocahontas County
- Grove Hill River Road Page County
Campgrounds
- Hone Quarry Campground
- Todd Lake Recreation Area
- North River Campground
- Brandywine Recreation Area
- Brandywine Campground
- Shaws Fork Equestrian Campground
Fishing spots
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
- Dry Fork
Paddle runs
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Canyon Exit To Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Nra Boundary
- Trussel Run To Run North Of Judy Springs
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Run North Of Judy Springs To Private Land
- Big Bend Campground To Canyon Exit (Just Prior To Confluence With North Branch)
Track Lower North River # 78 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 Lower North River # 78
Where does the data for Lower North River # 78 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 Lower North River # 78.