Gathright Dam, Virginia, USA

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Quick Facts About Gathright Dam

Location: Alleghany, Virginia
Coordinates: 37.951082, -79.9568196
River: Jackson River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Rockfill Earth
Commissioned: 1978
Dam Height: 257 ft (78 m)
Dam Length: 1,208 ft (368 m)
Dam Capacity: 421,500 acre-ft (519,912 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Gathright Dam Map

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Gathright Dam Information

Gathright Dam is a rockfill earth dam located about 19 miles from Covington, Alleghany, Virginia.

The dam, which is on the Jackson River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Fish and Wildlife Pond and Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by CENAO and commissioned in 1978 and is currently owned by USACE – Norfolk District.

Gathright Dam Structure

The Gathright Dam is approximately 1,208 feet (368 m) long, 257 feet (78 m) high and has a structural volume of 2,103,200 cubic yards (1,608,012 cubic metres).

Gathright Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 123,700 acre-ft (152,581 Ml) and maximum capacity of 421,500 acre-ft (519,912 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 2,530 acres (1,024 ha) and the total catchment area is 345 square miles (894 square kilometres).

Gathright Dam Spillway

The dam has a 100 feet (30 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 6100 cubic feet per second (173 cubic metres per second).

Gathright Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Gathright Dam
Alleghany, Virginia
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 257 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 1,208 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 421,500 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 345 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Gathright Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Gathright Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Gathright Dam

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Gathright Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Gathright Dam?

Gathright Dam is in Virginia.

In which county is the Gathright Dam?

Gathright Dam is in Alleghany County.

How high is the Gathright Dam?

Gathright Dam is 257 feet high.

How long is the Gathright Dam?

Gathright Dam is 1,208 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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