Willis Dam dam
Willis Dam
Willis Dam, also known as Redford Pond, is a private dam located in Powhatan, Virginia, along Horsepen Branch. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a length of 632 feet, providing irrigation for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet, Willis Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and supporting agricultural activities in the region.
While the hazard potential of Willis Dam is currently undetermined, its condition assessment is not rated, indicating a need for further evaluation and maintenance. Despite this, the dam meets state regulations for inspection, enforcement, and permitting, ensuring its operational safety and compliance with environmental guidelines. With its strategic location and purpose, Willis Dam serves as a vital water resource infrastructure in Virginia, contributing to the sustainability of water supply and management in the area.
As climate change continues to affect water resources, Willis Dam stands as a key asset in mitigating water scarcity and supporting agricultural needs in the region. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts, this dam plays a critical role in water management and conservation, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure for climate resilience and adaptation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Willis Dam is essential in safeguarding our water supply 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 Willis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Near Mannboro | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willis Dam.
Boat launches
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
- Mill Mount Trail Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- Bateau Landing Road 4399, Powhatan County
- Mill Quarter Road 1384, Powhatan
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Willis 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 Willis Dam
Where does the data for Willis 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 Willis Dam.