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Gathright Dam Releases

CURRENT AND PROJECTED NEAR-TERM RELEASES

Updated: FEB 13, 2026

	13Feb2026 at 0700 hours	14Feb2026	15Feb2026	16Feb2026
Release	168 cfs	168 cfs	168 cfs	168 cfs
Streamgage Stage	8.8 feet	8.8 feet	8.8 feet	8.8 feet

There Are No Plans To Change Releases Today.

RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT

USACE Announces Temporary Halt of Water Releases from Gathright Dam for Routine Inspection of Outlet Tunnel

COVINGTON, VA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District will temporarily halt water releases from the Gathright Dam for a routine inspection of the outlet tunnel. The halt will occur from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 and again from March 1 to March 3. The water release will be stopped daily at approximately 7 a.m. for up to six hours to allow for the inspection of the dam's outlet works.

Additional Outages: Additional temporary outages may occur on Feb. 24 and Feb. 28 as we are prepping for gate closure for inspection. These outages are expected to last approximately three hours each but are subject to change based on operational conditions. Updates will be provided as details become available.

Environmental Monitoring: During these inspections, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will monitor water conditions in the Jackson River to ensure minimal environmental impact. Once each inspection period is complete, water releases will resume at a rate of 168 - 171 cubic feet per second (cfs) (8.8 feet stage at the Below Gathright Dam USGS gage).

Important Notes:

*The temporary halt in releases will affect water levels in the Jackson River.

*Daily release information will be available after 8:30 a.m. by calling (540) 965-4117.

*The work is weather-dependent and subject to change.

USACE is working closely with DEQ and DWR to ensure the inspection is conducted safely with minimal disruption to the environment. Public safety and environmental protection remain top priorities.

Releases from Gathright Dam are made for a variety of purposes. The flow values cited above are the expected releases and may be increased or decreased without prior notice, depending on changing climatic and hydrologic conditions.

Reference location for the flow and streamgage stage values is the USGS Streamgage (02011800) located 0.5 miles downstream of Gathright Dam.

Reference Releases and Stream Stages
Release	Streamgage Stage	Release	Streamgage Stage
150 cfs	8.8 feet	2,500 cfs	11.8 feet
300 cfs	9.2 feet	5,000 cfs	13.3 feet
600 cfs	9.8 feet	7,500 cfs	14.4 feet
1,200 cfs	10.7 feet	10,000 cfs	15.3 feet

Notes:
(1) Releases between 150 cfs and 1,200 cfs are made during non Flood Release Operations
(2) Releases above 1,200 cfs are made during Flood Release Operations.

2025 PULSE RELEASE SCHEDULE

Pulse releases are scheduled for the following Wednesdays:

JUNE 18
JULY 16
AUG 6
AUG 27
SEP 17
OCT 8

NOTES:

These pulses, conducted by the Norfolk District in coordination with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, will begin at approximately 6 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m.

The peak pulse release will be 3,500 cfs and will increase levels 3 to 4.5 feet in the Jackson River.

Pulse releases are usually evaluated about 1 week in advance. Based on environment conditions, the date of a pulse release is subject to change and a 24 hour notice will be given. Check this website regularly for updates. Check this website regularly for updates.