Rockcliff dam
Rockcliff
Rockcliff, nestled in Hardy, West Virginia, is a Federal-owned Earth dam completed in 1968 with a primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 66 feet and a hydraulic height of 58 feet, Rockcliff spans 277 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 526 acre-feet. The dam, located on Trout Run, serves multiple purposes including Fish and Wildlife Pond management, Flood Risk Reduction, and recreation activities.
Managed by the USDA Forest Service, Rockcliff boasts a Controlled spillway type and a Slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a very high risk level, as of 2011. With a maximum discharge capacity of 7326 cubic feet per second, Rockcliff plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Rockcliff for its intricate design and multi-purpose functionality. The dam stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices and serves as a key recreational spot in the heart of West Virginia. With its rich history and strategic location on Trout Run, Rockcliff is a must-visit destination for those interested in the intersection of water resources and environmental conservation.
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 Rockcliff -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Waites Run Near Wardensville | 8 cfs | → |
| So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield | 36 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River At Mount Jackson | 68 cfs | → |
| Smith Creek Near New Market | 18 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River Near Strasburg | 118 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River At Cootes Store | 129 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rockcliff.
Boat launches
- Kimsey Run Road Hardy County
- Strasburg Trail Strasburg
- South Page Valley Road Page County
- Page County
- Seekford Boat Launch
- Bixlers Ferry Rd Page County
Campgrounds
- Trout Pond Campground
- Trout Pond
- Trout Pond Recreation Area
- Wolf Gap Recreation Area
- Wolf Gap
- Hawk Campground
Fishing spots
- White Sulphur Pond
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Moody Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- The West Virginia 259 Bridge South Of Wardensville To Ends Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
Track Rockcliff 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 Rockcliff
Where does the data for Rockcliff 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 Rockcliff.