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Western Branch Dam Quick Facts

Location: Suffolk, Virginia
Coordinates: 36.8017, -76.5831
River: Western Branch Nansemond River – Vahu6 Jl47 Western Branch Reservoir
Primary Purpose: Water Supply
Type: Earth
Commissioned:
Dam Height: 41 ft (12 m)
Dam Length: 2,400 ft (732 m)
Dam Capacity: 35,300 acre-ft (43,542 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Satisfactory
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Western Branch Dam Map

Western Branch Dam Information

Western Branch Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 4.63 miles from Suffolk, Suffolk, Virginia.

The dam, which is on the Western Branch Nansemond River – Vahu6 Jl47 Western Branch Reservoir, was primarily built for Water Supply purposes, but also serves for Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by GEI Consultants Inc. and commissioned in and is currently owned by City of Norfolk, Department of Utilities.

Western Branch Dam Structure

The Western Branch Dam is approximately 2,400 feet (732 m) long, 41 feet (12 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Western Branch Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 18,000 acre-ft (22,203 Ml) and maximum capacity of 35,300 acre-ft (43,542 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 1,250 acres (506 ha) and the total catchment area is 66 square miles (170 square kilometres).

Western Branch Dam Spillway

The dam has a 500 feet (152 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of cubic feet per second (0 cubic metres per second).

Western Branch Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Western Branch Dam
Suffolk, Virginia
Height (ft)
41
Length (Ft)
2,400
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
35,300
Drainage Area (sq miles)
66
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Western Branch Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Western Branch Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 00:51
Sunrise 07:03
Sunset 16:50
Temperature (°F) 24
Feels Like (°F) 24
Cloud Coverage (%) 0
Pressure (inHg) 1030
Humidity (%) 83
Wind Speed (mph) 0
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Western Branch Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 24 45 35 1028 34 18 42 SSW 0 - clear sky
Thu 29 49 40 1013 63 19 45 WNW 0 - clear sky
Fri 27 40 29 1027 36 11 26 NNW 0 - clear sky
Sat 27 41 31 1031 40 6 10 NNW 0 - broken clouds
Sun 30 51 37 1029 41 13 24 WSW 0 - clear sky
Mon 40 59 48 1024 63 12 28 SSW 26 0 light rain
Tue 58 62 60 1023 95 10 31 S 100 8 moderate rain
Wed 62 66 64 1022 97 10 29 SSW 100 12 moderate rain

Western Branch Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Western Branch Dam?

Western Branch Dam is in Virginia.

In which county is the Western Branch Dam?

Western Branch Dam is in Suffolk County.

How high is the Western Branch Dam?

Western Branch Dam is 41 feet high.

How long is the Western Branch Dam?

Western Branch Dam is 2,400 feet long.

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More Dams in Suffolk County:

C - Pond Dam
Lake Burnt Mills Dam
Lake Cohoon Dam
Lake Meade Dam
Lake Prince Dam
New Charles River Dam
Western Branch Dam

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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