Smiths Dam dam
Smiths Dam
Smiths Dam, also known as Sandy Branch Vineyard Pond, is a privately owned earth dam located in Albemarle, Virginia. The dam, with a height of 28 feet and a length of 450 feet, primarily serves a recreational purpose for the local community. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is state regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
The dam has a storage capacity of 284 acre-feet and is situated on a tributary of Sandy Branch. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of May 2021, Smiths Dam is classified as having significant hazard potential. In the event of an emergency, the dam owners are required to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, although details on its preparation and adherence to guidelines are not provided in the data. Overall, Smiths Dam represents a vital water resource for the area, serving both recreational and safety purposes.
With its picturesque location and crucial role in water management, Smiths Dam stands as a key feature in the environmental landscape of Albemarle, Virginia. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the infrastructure and regulatory aspects of such dams is essential in ensuring their sustainable operation and the safety of surrounding communities. As we continue to monitor and assess the condition of Smiths Dam, it remains a focal point for conservation efforts and the preservation of water resources 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 Smiths Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 72 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 72 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 38 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 85 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood | 383 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smiths Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Grove Hill River Road Page County
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Us 340 Business Page County
Campgrounds
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
- Lewis Mountain Campground
- Lewis Mountain
- Lewis Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
Track Smiths 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 Smiths Dam
Where does the data for Smiths 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 Smiths Dam.