Deer Lake Dam dam
Deer Lake Dam
Deer Lake Dam, also known as Blue Mountain Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Warren County, Virginia. The dam, primarily used for recreation, stands at a height of 38 feet and spans a length of 320 feet. It impounds the waters of the TR-Howardsville Branch, creating a surface area of 1.4 acres and a storage capacity of 23.7 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential, Deer Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in September 2006, with an inspection frequency of once per year. An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was prepared for the dam in May 2003, but its adherence to guidelines and the existence of inundation maps remain unknown. The dam does not have any associated locks or spillways, and it is not under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Deer Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity for recreational activities while also serving as a vital water management infrastructure in Virginia. Its peaceful surroundings and serene waters provide a perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. With its state-regulated status and low hazard potential, Deer Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam ownership and management in the region.
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 Deer Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 9 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River At Front Royal | 414 cfs | → |
| Passage Creek Near Buckton | 12 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 17 cfs | → |
| Opequon Creek Near Berryville | 14 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River Near Strasburg | 110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Country Club Road Warren County
- Luray Avenue Front Royal
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- Strasburg Trail Strasburg
- Boat Ramp Warren County
- Misty Meadow Lane Warren County
Campgrounds
- Camp Slater
- Camp Washington
- Mosby Campground
- Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground
- Elizabeth Furnace
- Shenandoah River - Guest State Park
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
- White Sulphur Pond
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Potomac River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
Track Deer Lake 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 Deer Lake Dam
Where does the data for Deer Lake 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 Low 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 Deer Lake Dam.