Whittaker Lake Dam dam
Whittaker Lake Dam
Whittaker Lake Dam, also known as Governor's Land No. 2, is a private dam located in James City, Virginia. This earth dam is primarily used for recreational purposes and is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. With a height of 22.09 feet and a storage capacity of 85.4 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the water resources in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and not currently rated for its condition, Whittaker Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the state regulatory agency. The dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain structural features such as spillways and outlet gates. Emergency action plans have been prepared and updated, ensuring that the proper measures are in place in case of any unforeseen events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of dams will find Whittaker Lake Dam to be a fascinating case study. Located in a picturesque setting near tributaries of Shellbank Creek, this private dam serves as a vital resource for recreational activities while also highlighting the importance of proper regulatory oversight and risk management in ensuring the safety and stability of water infrastructure.
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 Whittaker Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 1 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 27 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 14 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 121 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whittaker Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jamestown Road 1826, James City County
- Marina Drive Surry County
- Charles City County
- Cappahosic Road Gloucester County
- Campsite Drive 606, Lee Hall
- Denbigh Boulevard 3, Newport News
Track Whittaker Lake 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 Whittaker Lake Dam
Where does the data for Whittaker Lake 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 Low 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 Whittaker Lake Dam.