Butler's Dam dam
Butler's Dam
Butler's Dam, located in Mecklenburg, Virginia, on the TR-Little Bluestone Creek, is a state-regulated structure used primarily for irrigation purposes. Constructed with an earth dam type, Butler's Dam stands at a height of 24 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 117 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is currently undetermined and its condition assessment is not yet rated, it undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Owned by an unidentified entity, Butler's Dam is situated within the Norfolk District of Virginia and falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Although specific details such as the year of completion, maximum discharge capacity, and spillway type are not provided, the dam's strategic location on the Little Bluestone Creek highlights its importance in sustaining water resources and supporting irrigation needs in the region. As an integral part of the local water infrastructure, Butler's Dam plays a crucial role in managing water supply and enhancing agricultural activities in the surrounding area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve into the rich data surrounding Butler's Dam, its significance as a key irrigation structure in Mecklenburg, Virginia, becomes apparent. With a focus on providing essential water storage capabilities for agricultural purposes, this state-regulated dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage and sustain water resources in the region. While its hazard potential and condition assessment are yet to be fully evaluated, the regular state inspections and enforcement ensure that Butler's Dam continues to serve its vital role in supporting water availability and enhancing irrigation practices 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 Butler's Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Creek Near Boydton | 0 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Dan River At South Boston | 661 cfs | → |
| Banister River At Halifax | 103 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Butler's Dam.
Boat launches
- Occoneechee Park Road 1198, Mecklenburg County
- Carters Point Road Mecklenburg County
- Ivy Hill Road 3198, Mecklenburg County
- Cuscowilla Lane Mecklenburg County
- Nature Trail Mecklenburg County
- Mays Chapel Road Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- Rudds Creek - Kerr Reservoir
- Occoneechee State Park
- Equestrian Campground
- Buffalo Landing - Kerr Reservoir
- Staunton River State Park
- Ivy Hill Rec Area - Kerr Reservoir
Fishing spots
Track Butler's 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 Butler's Dam
Where does the data for Butler's 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 Butler's Dam.