Wise County Dam #4 dam
Wise County Dam #4
Located in Wise County, Virginia, Wise County Dam #4 is a crucial water resource structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 18 feet with a length of 270 feet, this dam provides a storage capacity of 63.22 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 40.8 acre-feet. While its hazard potential is currently labeled as "Undetermined" and its condition assessment is "Not Rated," the dam is regularly inspected and meets state regulatory requirements.
Despite lacking specific information on its construction date and primary purpose, Wise County Dam #4 plays a vital role in water management in the region. Positioned within Congressional District 09, Virginia, this dam serves as a safeguard against potential flooding and ensures a stable water supply for surrounding areas. As a state-regulated structure with enforcement, inspection, and permitting in place, this dam exemplifies the importance of proactive management and maintenance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential risks associated with climate variability.
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 Wise County Dam #4 -- 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 | → |
| Poor Fork At Cumberland | 59 cfs | → |
| Pound River Below Flannagan Dam Near Haysi | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wise County Dam #4.
Boat launches
- Big Cherry Road Wise County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- 2nd Avenue Scott County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
Campgrounds
- Cane Patch
- Cane Patch Campground
- Indian Grave Campsite
- Jack Sutter Campsite
- Swindall Campsite
- Flag Rock Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- 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 Wise County Dam #4 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 Wise County Dam #4
Where does the data for Wise County Dam #4 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 Wise County Dam #4.