Lower Sherando Dam dam
Lower Sherando Dam
Lower Sherando Dam, located in Augusta, Virginia, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Completed in 1934, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a hydraulic height of 30 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes including fish and wildlife pond activities. With a storage capacity of 393 acre-feet, the dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location on the North Fork Back Creek.
The dam's controlled spillway, slide gates, and high hazard potential make it a crucial structure for water resource management. Despite not being state-regulated, Lower Sherando Dam's risk assessment is ranked as very high, emphasizing the need for proper monitoring and emergency preparedness. The dam's association with the Forest Service highlights its significance in maintaining ecological balance and providing recreational opportunities for visitors in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower Sherando Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam engineering and management. Its historical significance, high hazard potential, and recreational value make it a unique site for understanding the intersection of water resource conservation and public enjoyment. As debates around dam safety and environmental impact continue, Lower Sherando Dam stands as a testament to the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems in the face of climate change.
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 Lower Sherando Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Waynesboro | 30 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 24 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 91 cfs | → |
| Tye River Near Lovingston | 27 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Piney River | 17 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Sherando Dam.
Boat launches
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
- Richmond Highway Appomattox County
- Elon Road Amherst County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake 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
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Headwaters To Farmville
Track Lower Sherando 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 Lower Sherando Dam
Where does the data for Lower Sherando 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 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 Lower Sherando Dam.