North Fork Of Pound Dam dam
North Fork Of Pound Dam
The North Fork of Pound Dam, also known as N. Fork of Pound Lake, is a rockfill dam located in Pound, Virginia. Built in 1966 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, while also supporting fish and wildlife habitats, recreation, and water supply. With a height of 122 feet and a hydraulic height of 95 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 11,293 acre-feet and a surface area of 154 acres.
Although the North Fork of Pound Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, the US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages the flood risks associated with the dam. This includes regular inspections, maintenance, and updating of emergency action plans to ensure readiness in case of a dam-related emergency. The dam releases water as needed to manage water levels, mitigate downstream impacts, and maintain its structural integrity, especially during severe weather events that may increase water flow into the system.
Overall, the North Fork of Pound Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding areas from flooding while also providing important recreational and environmental benefits. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to stay informed about the ongoing risk management measures and maintenance efforts to ensure the continued safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure.
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 North Fork Of Pound Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cranes Nest River Near Clintwood | 29 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| Guest River At Coeburn | 20 cfs | → |
| Pound River Below Flannagan Dam Near Haysi | 26 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Bartlick | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Haysi | 467 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Fork Of Pound Dam.
Boat launches
- Big Cherry Road Wise County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Lick Creek Pike County
Campgrounds
- Jack Sutter Campsite
- Cane Patch Campground
- Cane Patch
- Indian Grave Campsite
- Swindall Campsite
- Pound River - John W. Flannagan Reservoir
Paddle runs
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
Track North Fork Of Pound 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 North Fork Of Pound Dam
Where does the data for North Fork Of Pound 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 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 North Fork Of Pound Dam.