Powell Dam dam
Powell Dam
Powell Dam, located in York, Virginia, is a Federal-owned structure on the TR-YORK RIVER with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a storage capacity of 101 acre-feet. The dam, completed in an unspecified year, serves as a vital resource for water supply and flood control in the region. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and lack of a condition rating, Powell Dam remains a key asset for outdoor enthusiasts and climate advocates in the area.
Managed by the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Powell Dam offers a scenic escape for visitors seeking recreational opportunities along the York River. While details about the dam's spillway type, discharge capacity, and inspection history are currently unavailable, the structure plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing water-based activities for residents and tourists alike. With its tranquil surroundings and historical significance, Powell Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in maintaining a sustainable environment.
As climate change continues to impact water resources across the globe, Powell Dam serves as a beacon of resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges. With its strategic location and recreational value, the dam represents a harmonious balance between human intervention and natural preservation. By recognizing the significance of Powell Dam and advocating for its continued maintenance and conservation, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the long-term sustainability of this essential infrastructure in York, Virginia.
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 Powell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 27 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 1 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek Near Tappahannock | 14 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 6 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powell Dam.
Boat launches
- Cappahosic Road Gloucester County
- ,
- Ware House Road Gloucester Courthouse
- Jamestown Road 1826, James City County
- Greate Road Gloucester Point
- Campsite Drive 606, Lee Hall
Track Powell 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 Powell Dam
Where does the data for Powell 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 Powell Dam.