South River Dam #4 dam
South River Dam #4
South River Dam #4, also known as Lofton Lake, is a crucial infrastructure owned by the local government of Augusta, Virginia. This earth dam stands at a height of 56 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the Pine Run river. With a storage capacity of 890 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres, this dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, South River Dam #4 is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and overall condition. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is currently rated as satisfactory. With a history of successful risk management measures in place, the dam continues to meet the necessary guidelines for emergency action plans, ensuring the safety of nearby residents and recreational users who benefit from its presence.
Situated within the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, South River Dam #4 not only serves as a flood risk reduction measure but also provides recreational opportunities for the community. With its strategic location and essential role in water resource management, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure in the face of climate change and increasing water challenges.
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 South River Dam #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| Maury River At Rockbridge Baths | 56 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 10 cfs | → |
| Calfpasture River Above Mill Creek At Goshen | 22 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South River Dam #4.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- 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
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
Track South River Dam #4 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 South River Dam #4
Where does the data for South River Dam #4 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 High 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 South River Dam #4.