South Anna Dam #3 dam
South Anna Dam #3
South Anna Dam #3, also known as Fishers Lake, is a local government-owned structure located in Louisa, Virginia. Designed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Fielding Creek. With a storage capacity of 990 acre-feet and a normal storage of 130 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 25 acres and drains a watershed area of 2.85 square miles.
Despite its high hazard potential, South Anna Dam #3 is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in April 2020. The dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion, and it is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in December 2018, and the structure meets state guidelines for emergency preparedness. With a close proximity to residential areas, this dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding community from potential disasters.
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 South Anna Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 25 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 79 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 108 cfs | → |
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 43 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 11 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Anna Dam #3.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
Campgrounds
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lake Anna State Park
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Girl Scout Camp
- Lewis Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Batzell Boat Launch
Track South Anna Dam #3 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 South Anna Dam #3
Where does the data for South Anna Dam #3 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 South Anna Dam #3.