Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam dam
Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam
Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam in Albemarle, Virginia, is a crucial structure designed for flood risk reduction along a tributary of the Rivanna River. Owned privately and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet, with a storage capacity of 29.4 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to mitigate flooding in the area, with a hazard potential deemed significant but a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2020.
Located within the Baltimore District, Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and integrity of the surrounding communities. With a surface area of 1.52 acres and a drainage area of 0.1 square miles, this dam serves as a key defense against potential water-related disasters. Regular inspections and state oversight ensure that the dam is functioning effectively to fulfill its flood risk reduction mandate.
Despite its private ownership, Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam remains a critical piece of infrastructure in the region, safeguarding against the destructive force of flooding. With a comprehensive emergency action plan in place and a history of satisfactory condition assessments, this earth dam continues to be a key asset in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Albemarle, Virginia.
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 Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 72 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 38 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Nelson County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
- Hiker Camping
- Lewis Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
Track Martha Jefferson Retention Basin 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 Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam
Where does the data for Martha Jefferson Retention Basin 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 Significant 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 Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam.