Willis River Dam #6a dam
Willis River Dam #6a
Willis River Dam #6a, also known as Elcan, is a local government-owned structure located on the Little Willis River in Buckingham, Virginia. Built for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands at a height of 33.1 feet and spans 496 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 1036 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 76 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood hazards in the area.
Despite its high hazard potential, Willis River Dam #6a is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2019. The Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia regulates this dam, ensuring that it undergoes regular inspections and maintenance. With a drainage area of 2.9 square miles, this dam serves as a vital infrastructure for protecting the surrounding community from potential flood events.
As an essential flood risk reduction structure in the region, Willis River Dam #6a stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Its strategic location on the Little Willis River, combined with its significant storage capacity, highlights the critical role that dams play in safeguarding communities from the impacts of extreme weather events. With ongoing regulatory oversight and maintenance efforts, this dam continues to serve as a crucial asset in protecting lives and property from the threat of flooding in Buckingham, Virginia.
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 Willis River Dam #6a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 826 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willis River Dam #6a.
Boat launches
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- James River Road Nelson County
- Richmond Highway Appomattox County
- Prince Edward County
Campgrounds
Track Willis River Dam #6a 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 Willis River Dam #6a
Where does the data for Willis River Dam #6a 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 Willis River Dam #6a.