Shoemaker River # 3b dam
Shoemaker River # 3b
Shoemaker River # 3b, also known as Hog Pen Dam, is a vital structure owned by the local government in Rockingham, Virginia, designed for flood risk reduction along Hogpen Run. This earth dam stands at a height of 74 feet and stretches for 475 feet, providing a storage capacity of 792 acre-feet to manage the flow of water in the area. With a drainage area of 2.98 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 17,931 cubic feet per second, Shoemaker River # 3b plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, this dam is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The last assessment in March 2020 deemed its condition as satisfactory, despite being labeled with a high hazard potential. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in May 2010, and it meets all regulatory guidelines for managing potential risks associated with its operation. With a focus on flood risk reduction, Shoemaker River # 3b stands as a reliable infrastructure safeguarding the local ecosystem and residential areas from the impacts of extreme weather events and rising water levels in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Shoemaker River # 3b serves as a fascinating example of how engineered structures like earth dams play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and managing water flow in environmentally sensitive areas. Its strategic location along Hogpen Run, combined with its significant storage capacity and discharge capabilities, highlights the importance of effective dam management in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the impacts of changing weather patterns and increasing flood hazards. With regular inspections and a satisfactory condition assessment, Shoemaker River # 3b stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to enhance resilience to climate-related challenges in the area.
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 Shoemaker River # 3b -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Shenandoah River At Cootes Store | 15 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek At Mount Clinton | 7 cfs | → |
| Linville Creek At Broadway | 24 cfs | → |
| So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine | 8 cfs | → |
| North River Near Burketown | 239 cfs | → |
| Smith Creek Near New Market | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shoemaker River # 3b.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Shoemaker River # 3b
Where does the data for Shoemaker River # 3b 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.