Sanderson Dam dam
Sanderson Dam
Sanderson Dam, located in Cumberland, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 20 feet with a length of 400 feet, this earth dam serves a primary purpose of recreation. With a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, the dam is designed for hydraulic heights and structural stability, ensuring its safety and functionality for water resource enthusiasts.
While the hazard potential of the dam is deemed undetermined and its condition assessment is not rated, the structure undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of one year. Despite the lack of specific data on the completion year or the spillway type, Sanderson Dam provides a recreational oasis for visitors in the area. Additionally, the dam's location in the Norfolk District and its ownership status as "Not Listed" indicate a unique blend of local and federal oversight.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sanderson Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. With a focus on recreation and a solid foundation in earth dam construction, this structure showcases the importance of state jurisdiction and agency involvement in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources. As the dam continues to serve its purpose in Cumberland, Virginia, it stands as a symbol of responsible water management in the region.
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 Sanderson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Cartersville | 1,790 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 57 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 171 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 3 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 156 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanderson Dam.
Boat launches
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- Mill Mount Trail Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
More reservoirs
Track Sanderson Dam 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 Sanderson Dam
Where does the data for Sanderson 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 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 Sanderson Dam.