Bush River Dam # 12 dam
Bush River Dam # 12
Bush River Dam # 12, also known as Sandy River Reservoir, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Farmville, Virginia. Completed in 1983, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction but also supports recreation and water supply purposes. With a height of 62.4 feet and a length of 1880 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 38,534 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 11,530 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 740 acres.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Bush River Dam # 12 has a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2019. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 225 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 41,500 cubic feet per second. Situated on the Sandy River, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding while also providing opportunities for recreational activities and water supply.
Despite its moderate risk assessment, Bush River Dam # 12 remains a key infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, with emergency action plans in place to ensure preparedness in case of any unforeseen events. As a significant component of the water resource management in Prince Edward, Virginia, the dam continues to be monitored and inspected regularly to uphold its structural integrity and safeguard the community against potential hazards associated with its operation.
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 Bush River Dam # 12 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Near Mannboro | 15 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bush River Dam # 12.
Track Bush River Dam # 12 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 Bush River Dam # 12
Where does the data for Bush River Dam # 12 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 Bush River Dam # 12.