Herns Pond dam
Herns Pond
Herns Pond, located in Port Royal, Virginia, is a man-made reservoir that was completed in 1950 by the US Army for recreational purposes. The dam, primarily constructed of earth and stone, stands at a height of 18 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 24 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres, Herns Pond serves as a fire protection and fish and wildlife pond, in addition to providing opportunities for recreation.
Managed by the US Army, Herns Pond has a low hazard potential and is inspected every 4 years to ensure its safety and functionality. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 15 feet, allows for controlled discharge of water during periods of excess flow. Despite its small drainage area of 0 acres, the pond plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a moderate risk assessment rating, measures are in place to address potential risks and emergencies, though specific details on risk management and mitigation strategies are not available at this time.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Herns Pond offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human intervention, recreational use, and environmental stewardship. As a part of the Mill Creek Tr watershed in Caroline County, Virginia, the pond exemplifies the delicate balance between human needs and natural ecosystems. By understanding the design, purpose, and management of Herns Pond, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into how water resources are harnessed and protected for the benefit of local communities and wildlife alike.
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 Herns Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 20 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 69 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 10 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 792 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 103 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Herns Pond.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Charles County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Paul Ellis Landing
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Smallwood State Park Youth Group Campsite
- Smallwood State Park
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Campground 3
- Campsite #6
Fishing spots
Track Herns Pond 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 Herns Pond
Where does the data for Herns Pond 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 Herns Pond.