Lower North River # 81c dam
Lower North River # 81c
Lower North River # 81c, also known as Switzer Dam, is a critical infrastructure owned by the local government in Rockingham, Virginia. This dam, located on the Skidmore Fork, serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and water supply. Standing at a height of 143 feet with a length of 450 feet, it has a storage capacity of 10,357 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 119 acres. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and has a high hazard potential.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of April 2017, Lower North River # 81c poses a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a history of flood risk reduction and plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential disasters. With its location in a region prone to climate variability, the dam's maintenance and monitoring are essential for the community's safety and water resource management.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of Lower North River # 81c in Rockingham, Virginia, highlights the importance of sustainable infrastructure development and management in the face of changing environmental conditions. The dam's critical role in flood risk reduction and water supply underscores the need for ongoing attention and investment to ensure its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the local community and environment.
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 # 81c -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine | 10 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Mount Clinton | 1 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River At Franklin | 33 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River At Cootes Store | 129 cfs | → |
| North River Near Stokesville | 2 cfs | → |
| Linville Creek At Broadway | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower North River # 81c.
Boat launches
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Grove Hill River Road Page County
- Buffalo Fork Road Pocahontas County
- Us 340 Business Page County
Campgrounds
- Brandywine Recreation Area
- Brandywine Campground
- Hone Quarry Campground
- Camp Run Campground
- Todd Lake Recreation Area
- North River Campground
Fishing spots
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Dry Fork
Paddle runs
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Canyon Exit To Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Nra Boundary
- Big Bend Campground To Canyon Exit (Just Prior To Confluence With North Branch)
- Run North Of Judy Springs To Private Land
- Trussel Run To Run North Of Judy Springs
- Shreve Store To Big Bend Campground
Track Lower North River # 81c 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 # 81c
Where does the data for Lower North River # 81c 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 # 81c.