Alvis Dam dam
Alvis Dam
Alvis Dam, located in Goochland, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure that spans Dover Creek. Standing at a height of 23 feet and a length of 425 feet, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a serene environment for enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not being rated for condition assessment, the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of the dam to ensure public safety.
While specific details on the completion year, storage volume, and other technical aspects are not available, Alvis Dam's significance lies in its role as a recreational sanctuary within the Norfolk District. With Democrat Abigail Davis Spanberger representing the area in Congress, the dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate its contribution to the local ecosystem. Although the dam's emergency preparedness measures and risk assessment details are currently unspecified, its presence as a peaceful retreat along Dover Creek underscores its importance in balancing human recreational needs with environmental conservation efforts.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the unique features of Alvis Dam, they can appreciate its blend of natural aesthetics with man-made engineering. The dam's proximity to the Norfolk District and oversight by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia highlight its role as a regulated structure for public enjoyment. While further information on the dam's maintenance and emergency procedures is awaited, its presence as a recreational oasis in Goochland, Virginia, offers a valuable space for outdoor activities and appreciation of the surrounding environment.
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 Alvis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alvis Dam.
Boat launches
- Watkins Landing Road 3099, Powhatan County
- Bateau Landing Road 4399, Powhatan County
- Mountain Road Hanover County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- Mill Mount Trail Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
Track Alvis 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 Alvis Dam
Where does the data for Alvis 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 Alvis Dam.