South River Dam #19 dam
South River Dam #19
South River Dam #19, also known as Waynesboro Nursery, is a vital infrastructure owned by the local government in Augusta, Virginia. This earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and stretches 815 feet in length, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR-South River. With a NID storage capacity of 1034 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3.04 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events.
Despite its importance, South River Dam #19 has been classified with a high hazard potential and rated in poor condition, as per the latest assessment conducted in March 2021. The dam's inspection frequency is set at once per year, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. Additionally, the dam lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and may benefit from further risk assessment and management measures to enhance its resilience and preparedness for potential emergencies.
Located within the Norfolk District, the dam falls under the regulatory authority of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. With its strategic position and critical role in flood control, South River Dam #19 serves as a valuable asset in safeguarding the local environment and communities against water-related risks, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and attention to its operational conditions. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam offers a compelling case study in the intersection of infrastructure management, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 #19 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 24 cfs | → |
| South River At Harriston | 96 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Grottoes | 76 cfs | → |
| Tye River Near Lovingston | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South River Dam #19.
Boat launches
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Lake Shenandoah Trail Rockingham County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond 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
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Headwaters To Farmville
Track South River Dam #19 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 #19
Where does the data for South River Dam #19 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 #19.