Paul Riefenberg Dam dam
Paul Riefenberg Dam
Paul Riefenberg Dam, located in Wythe, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. With a height of 33.25 feet and a storage capacity of 70.89 acre-feet, this dam serves as a vital water resource for the region. The dam's primary purpose and design type are not specified in the available data, but its importance in water management and conservation cannot be overstated.
While the condition assessment of Paul Riefenberg Dam is marked as "Not Rated," its hazard potential is listed as "Undetermined." This raises questions about the safety and maintenance of the structure, prompting further inquiries into its risk management measures and emergency preparedness. Given its location and role in water storage, it is crucial for stakeholders and authorities to ensure the dam's stability and functionality to prevent any potential environmental or climatic threats.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the data surrounding Paul Riefenberg Dam piques our interest in understanding the dam's history, construction, and current management practices. The lack of specific details regarding its purpose, construction year, and risk assessment calls for a more in-depth exploration of this significant infrastructure. With its location in a region susceptible to climate variability, the safety and effectiveness of Paul Riefenberg Dam are essential considerations for sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
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 Paul Riefenberg Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River At Ivanhoe | 875 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 459 cfs | → |
| Reed Creek At Grahams Forge | 69 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 17 cfs | → |
| New River At Allisonia | 640 cfs | → |
| Little River At Graysontown | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paul Riefenberg Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Paul Riefenberg Dam
Where does the data for Paul Riefenberg 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 below 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.
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.