North Fork Park Pond Dam dam
North Fork Park Pond Dam
North Fork Park Pond Dam, also known as Uva Research Park, is a privately owned structure located in Albemarle, Virginia, along the Flat Branch river. This dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction measure, with a primary purpose of mitigating the potential impact of flooding in the area. Standing at a height of 32.5 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 120.1 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.16 acres, making it a significant contributor to water resource management in the region.
Managed and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, North Fork Park Pond Dam is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and hazard potential are maintained at a fair level. The last inspection conducted in March 2019 revealed a high hazard potential due to its location and size. Despite this, the dam is considered to be in fair condition, with a scheduled inspection frequency of once a year. In the event of an emergency, the dam does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, highlighting the importance of preparedness and risk management in water resource infrastructure.
With its earth dam type and long history of flood risk reduction, North Fork Park Pond Dam stands as a vital component of water resource management in Virginia. As climate change continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, structures like this dam play a crucial role in protecting communities and ecosystems from the dangers of flooding. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance will be essential to ensure the continued effectiveness and safety of this important water resource infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 North Fork Park Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 8 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 3 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 8 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 56 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River Near Lynnwood | 235 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Fork Park Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About North Fork Park Pond Dam
Where does the data for North Fork Park Pond 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 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 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.