Shelford Farm Dam dam
Shelford Farm Dam
Shelford Farm Dam in Albemarle, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam located on a tributary of the Mechums River. Standing at a height of 23 feet and stretching 250 feet in length, this dam has a maximum storage capacity of 61 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not yet rated condition assessment, Shelford Farm Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With the ability to store water and potentially mitigate flooding, this dam serves as a vital infrastructure for the surrounding community. As a water resource and climate enthusiast, understanding the design and function of Shelford Farm Dam provides valuable insight into how dams contribute to water conservation efforts and environmental sustainability.
Further exploration into the history and operational aspects of Shelford Farm Dam could reveal additional details about its construction, maintenance, and emergency preparedness measures. This earth dam, situated within the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, presents an opportunity for water resource enthusiasts to delve into the complexities of dam infrastructure and its implications for water security and climate resilience in the region.
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 Shelford Farm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 8 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 3 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 8 cfs | → |
| South River At Harriston | 85 cfs | → |
| South River Near Dooms | 49 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shelford Farm Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Shelford Farm Dam
Where does the data for Shelford Farm 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 below 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.
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.