Watkins Road Dam dam
Watkins Road Dam
Watkins Road Dam, located in Hanover, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 17 feet with a storage capacity of 69 acre-feet, serves the purpose of water resource management in the region. Situated along a tributary of Mill Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in controlling water flow and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and lack of a condition assessment rating, Watkins Road Dam remains an essential infrastructure for the community. With regular state inspections and enforcement measures in place, the dam is maintained to meet safety standards and protect against potential risks. While specific details about the dam's construction year and design are not provided, its significance in water resource management is evident through its state-regulated status and operational capacity.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Virginia may find Watkins Road Dam to be a fascinating subject of study, given its location, purpose, and regulatory oversight. As part of the larger network of dams in the region, this structure contributes to the overall water management efforts and plays a critical role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring sustainable utilization of water resources. Further research and monitoring of Watkins Road Dam could provide valuable insights into the intersection of infrastructure, environmental protection, and climate resilience in the area.
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 Watkins Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watkins Road Dam.
Boat launches
- Mountain Road Hanover County
- Bateau Landing Road 4399, Powhatan County
- Watkins Landing Road 3099, Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
Track Watkins Road 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 Watkins Road Dam
Where does the data for Watkins Road 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 Watkins Road Dam.