Lake Overton Dam dam
Lake Overton Dam
Lake Overton Dam in Henrico, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at 18 feet tall and spans 360 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 106 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary of Upham Brook, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
Despite its high hazard potential, Lake Overton Dam's condition has not been rated since its last inspection in 2005. The dam poses a significant risk to the surrounding area in the event of a failure, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures. With a surface area of 7.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.85 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while also requiring careful monitoring and oversight to ensure public safety.
As a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Overton Dam serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between human development and natural ecosystems. Its existence as a recreational structure highlights the importance of balancing the enjoyment of water resources with the need for responsible stewardship and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. The dam's location in the Norfolk District underscores the broader regulatory framework that governs water infrastructure in Virginia, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in managing and protecting these vital resources for future generations.
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 Lake Overton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 2 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 86 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 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 Lake Overton Dam.
Track Lake Overton 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 Lake Overton Dam
Where does the data for Lake Overton 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 High 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 Lake Overton Dam.