Cushaw dam
Cushaw
Cushaw is a hydroelectric dam located in Virginia, specifically in the county of Amherst. Completed in 1930, this gravity dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a length of 1716 feet, with a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife conservation, and recreation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Cushaw has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam is responsible for regulating the flow of the James River and covers a drainage area of 2960 square miles. With a maximum discharge rate of 68,340.8 cubic feet per second, Cushaw plays a crucial role in the water resource management of the region.
Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, Cushaw remains a significant structure for the surrounding community. Its location, design, and operational history make it an important site for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the impact of hydroelectric dams on the local ecosystem and water supply.
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 Cushaw -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 935 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 9 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 110 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 10 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 615 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cushaw .
Boat launches
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
Campgrounds
- Otter Creek Recreation Area
- Otter Creek - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Town Shelter (With Shower, Toilet & Electricity)
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Cave Mountain Lake Campground
- Cave Mountain Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
Track Cushaw 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 Cushaw
Where does the data for Cushaw 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 Low 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 Cushaw .