No. 4 Pond dam
No. 4 Pond
No. 4 Pond, located in Goochland, Virginia, is a state-regulated earth dam with a height of 36 feet that serves as a tributary to the James River. Owned by a not listed entity, this dam has a storage capacity of 48 acre-feet and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Although its hazard potential is labeled as undetermined and its condition assessment is not rated, the dam is inspected yearly, indicating an active commitment to monitoring its safety and integrity.
While lacking specific details on construction year or purpose, No. 4 Pond's critical infrastructure status is evident through its significance in the region's water resource management. The presence of state-permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes, as well as the involvement of state agencies in regulatory oversight, underscores the importance of this dam in ensuring water supply and flood control for the local community. With a prominent position in the Norfolk District and with Abigail Davis Spanberger (D) as the representative, the dam's role in water resource sustainability and climate resilience cannot be understated.
As an essential component of the water management system in the area, No. 4 Pond represents a critical piece of infrastructure that requires ongoing attention and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. With its proximity to the James River and its regulated status, the dam serves as a vital link in the region's water supply chain and underscores the interconnected nature of water resources and climate adaptation efforts. Continued monitoring and adherence to regulatory standards will be key in securing the resilience and sustainability of this important water resource asset.
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 No. 4 Pond -- 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 At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near No. 4 Pond.
Track No. 4 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 No. 4 Pond
Where does the data for No. 4 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 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 No. 4 Pond.