York Meadows Dam dam
York Meadows Dam
York Meadows Dam, located in York, Virginia, serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction along the tributary of Big Bethel Reservoir. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at 15 feet high and spans a length of 1200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 138 acre-feet. While its hazard potential is currently undetermined and its condition remains unrated, the dam undergoes regular inspections and is subject to state regulation, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its integrity and safety.
Despite lacking certain details such as the year of completion and specific structural features like spillways or outlet gates, York Meadows Dam remains a key component in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The dam's primary purpose, as well as its associated flood risk reduction purposes, highlight its vital role in protecting the community and managing water resources effectively. With its location in the Norfolk District and oversight by the state of Virginia, the dam plays a significant role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and assess the impact of dams like York Meadows Dam, the need for comprehensive risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and ongoing maintenance becomes increasingly important. While the dam's current risk management measures and emergency action plans are not specified in the available data, the collaborative efforts of regulatory agencies, state authorities, and the local community are essential in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions and potential hazards.
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 York Meadows Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 2 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 13 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 24 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 118 cfs | → |
| Pasquotank River Near South Mills | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near York Meadows Dam.
Boat launches
- Tide Mill Road 711, York County
- Oriana Road Burts
- Cedar Road 255, Poquoson
- Huntington Park Municipal Boat Ramp
- Denbigh Boulevard 3, Newport News
- West River Point Drive 48, Hampton
Track York Meadows 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 York Meadows Dam
Where does the data for York Meadows 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 York Meadows Dam.