Billings Dam dam
Billings Dam
Billings Dam, also known as Shale Brick Co. Dam, is a significant water resource structure located in Smyth, Virginia. This dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 62.57 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 13.8 acre-feet. The dam covers a surface area of 3.62 acres and is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
While the specific year of completion is not provided, Billings Dam is designated as having an undetermined hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Regular inspections are conducted, with an inspection frequency of once per year to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Despite the lack of specific details on its design and purpose, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Overall, Billings Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in Virginia. Its location and storage capacity make it an important asset for the surrounding area, although further details on its history and construction would provide a more comprehensive understanding of its significance. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the role that Billings Dam plays in regulating water flow and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.
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 Billings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| M F Holston River At Seven Mile Ford | 48 cfs | → |
| S F Holston River At Riverside Nr Chilhowie | 42 cfs | → |
| New River At Ivanhoe | 632 cfs | → |
| N F Holston River Near Saltville | 67 cfs | → |
| Reed Creek At Grahams Forge | 91 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 535 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Billings Dam.
Boat launches
- Cox's Chapel Road Grayson County
- Ivanhoe Boat Launch
- Riverside Boat Ramp
- River Road 558, Saltville
- New River Trail Carroll County
- Old River Lane 998, Grayson County
Campgrounds
- Rural Retreat Lake
- Blue Springs Gap Cabin
- Hungry Mother State Park
- Comers Rock
- Comers Rock Recreation Area
- Comers Rock Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Whitetop Laurel--Jefferson Nf Boundary (Intersection Of Hwy 58 And Sr 859) To Jefferson Nf Boundary Above Damascus
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
Track Billings Dam 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 Billings Dam
Where does the data for Billings 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 Undetermined 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 Billings Dam.