Whittles Mill Dam dam
Whittles Mill Dam
Whittles Mill Dam, located in South Hill, Virginia, serves as a vital water supply structure in Mecklenburg County. This gravity-type dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. While its primary purpose is water supply, it also supports hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities. The dam, constructed with a buttress core type, spans 205 feet along the Meherrin River and Crooked Creek.
Despite its importance in providing water resources to the local community, Whittles Mill Dam's condition assessment remains unrated, with an undetermined hazard potential. This highlights the need for regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and support initiatives that promote the sustainable management of dams like Whittles Mill to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding environment.
With its strategic location and critical role in water supply, Whittles Mill Dam presents a unique opportunity for collaboration among local government agencies, stakeholders, and the community to implement effective emergency action plans and risk assessment strategies. By staying informed and engaged in the maintenance and operation of this dam, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the resilience and sustainability of the region's water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Whittles Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Creek Near Boydton | 4 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 15 cfs | → |
| Meherrin River Near Lawrenceville | 102 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Rawlings | 134 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Meherrin River At Emporia | 139 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whittles Mill Dam.
Track Whittles Mill 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 Whittles Mill Dam
Where does the data for Whittles Mill 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 Whittles Mill Dam.