Brittles Dam dam
Brittles Dam
Brittles Dam, located in Sussex, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at 14 feet high, serves primarily for recreational purposes along the TR-SEACOCK SWAMP river or stream. With a storage capacity of 476 acre-feet, it offers a tranquil spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities in a picturesque setting.
Although currently rated as "Undetermined" in terms of hazard potential and "Not Rated" in condition assessment, Brittles Dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of once a year. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are yet to be fully established, indicating a potential area for improvement in ensuring the safety and security of the dam and surrounding areas. As a notable feature in the Norfolk District, the dam contributes to the local landscape and provides opportunities for recreation while warranting ongoing monitoring and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity.
With the dam's close proximity to the city and its ownership type not listed, Brittles Dam stands as a vital structure for water management in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the area and appreciate its natural beauty, continued oversight and adherence to regulatory protocols will be essential in safeguarding this dam for future generations to enjoy.
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 Brittles Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 3 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 121 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Stony Creek | 53 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 129 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brittles Dam.
Boat launches
- Joyners Bridge Road Southampton County
- Marina Drive Surry County
- Franklin
- Jamestown Road 1826, James City County
- Charles City County
- Horseback Trail Chuckatuck
Track Brittles 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 Brittles Dam
Where does the data for Brittles 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 Brittles Dam.