Boatwright Dam dam
Boatwright Dam
Boatwright Dam, located in Powhatan, Virginia, is a privately owned structure that plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. Standing at a height of 31 feet and stretching 550 feet in length, this dam provides a storage capacity of 212.04 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 148.2 acre-feet. Despite its importance, the dam's hazard potential is currently listed as 'Undetermined', with a condition assessment of 'Not Rated'.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Boatwright Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are currently not specified, indicating a need for improved emergency preparedness measures. With its location along the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam serves as a significant structure in the region's water infrastructure, under the oversight of Representative Abigail Davis Spanberger (D).
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Boatwright Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and safety. The lack of specific details on the dam's construction date, spillway type, and associated structures invites further exploration into its design and engineering aspects. As efforts to assess and mitigate potential risks associated with the dam continue, stakeholders and researchers may find valuable insights in studying the governance and operation of Boatwright Dam in the context of water resource sustainability and climate resilience.
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 Boatwright 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 | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boatwright Dam.
Boat launches
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- Mill Mount Trail Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Bateau Landing Road 4399, Powhatan County
Campgrounds
Track Boatwright 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 Boatwright Dam
Where does the data for Boatwright 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 Boatwright Dam.