Birchfield Dam dam
Birchfield Dam
Birchfield Dam, also known as Forest Land Group Dam #1 in Wise County, Virginia, stands as a private-owned structure with a height of 30 feet and a length of 450 feet. This dam boasts a storage capacity of 45.6 million gallons of water, serving a critical role in managing the area's water resources. Situated in the Nashville District and Congressional District 09 of Virginia, Birchfield Dam holds a significant position in the region's infrastructure and environmental landscape.
Despite its importance, Birchfield Dam's hazard potential remains undetermined, with its condition yet to be rated. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are also unclear, highlighting the need for further evaluation and monitoring. With its location in Wise, Virginia, Birchfield Dam presents a complex yet intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the region.
As efforts to address climate change and water resource management intensify, Birchfield Dam stands as a focal point for evaluating the resilience and sustainability of our infrastructure systems. With its unique design and historical significance, this dam offers a rich opportunity for research and analysis in the context of evolving environmental challenges. As stakeholders continue to assess and improve the dam's safety and regulatory compliance, Birchfield Dam exemplifies the intricate balance between human development and natural conservation in the face of a changing climate.
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 Birchfield Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cranes Nest River Near Clintwood | 29 cfs | → |
| Guest River At Coeburn | 20 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| Powell River At Big Stone Gap | 107 cfs | → |
| Pound River Below Flannagan Dam Near Haysi | 26 cfs | → |
| Russell Fork At Haysi | 467 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Birchfield Dam.
Boat launches
- Big Cherry Road Wise County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- 2nd Avenue Scott County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
Campgrounds
- Cane Patch
- Cane Patch Campground
- Jack Sutter Campsite
- Indian Grave Campsite
- Flag Rock Recreation Area
- Swindall Campsite
Paddle runs
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
Track Birchfield 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 Birchfield Dam
Where does the data for Birchfield 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 Birchfield Dam.