Penola East Five Dam dam
Penola East Five Dam
Penola East Five Dam, located in Caroline, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 23 feet, this Earth dam provides a storage capacity of 147 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary of the Mattaponi River, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Although the hazard potential and condition assessment of Penola East Five Dam are currently classified as undetermined and not rated, respectively, the structure undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of once per year. Despite lacking certain data such as the year of completion and last inspection date, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures remain unspecified. However, it is worth noting that the dam does not fall under the ownership or funding of any federal agency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Penola East Five Dam may find its recreational purpose and state-regulated status intriguing. With its location in the Baltimore District and proximity to the Mattaponi River, this Earth dam offers a modest storage capacity and stands as a notable feature in the water management landscape of Virginia. While some details regarding its maintenance and risk assessment may be pending, the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities and its regulatory oversight by the Department of Conservation and Recreation make it a noteworthy structure for further exploration and study.
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 Penola East Five Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 13 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 48 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 44 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 94 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Penola East Five Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Mountain Road Hanover County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Walkerton Boat Ramp
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Penola East Five 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 Penola East Five Dam
Where does the data for Penola East Five 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 Undetermined 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 Penola East Five Dam.