Slate River Dam #7 dam
Slate River Dam #7
Slate River Dam #7, located in Buckingham, Virginia, is a vital structure managed by the local government to reduce flood risk along the Jamison Branch. Standing at a height of 50.3 feet and spanning 794 feet in length, this earth dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential water-related disasters. With a storage capacity of 2670 acre-feet and a drainage area of 11.8 square miles, the dam serves as a key component in water resource management in the region.
Despite its importance, Slate River Dam #7 has been classified as having a high hazard potential, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is rated as being in fair condition, with the last inspection conducted in October 2019. The Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia oversees the regulatory aspects of the dam, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Additionally, the dam has a designated emergency action plan (EAP) in place to guide response efforts in case of a critical situation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Slate River Dam #7 offers a fascinating case study in flood risk reduction and dam management. Its strategic location and design highlight the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities against potential water hazards. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water flow dynamics, the role of dams like Slate River Dam #7 becomes increasingly critical in ensuring the resilience and safety of local populations and infrastructure.
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 Slate River Dam #7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 826 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Slate River Dam #7.
Boat launches
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Richmond Highway Appomattox County
- James River Road Nelson County
- Nelson County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
Track Slate River Dam #7 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 Slate River Dam #7
Where does the data for Slate River Dam #7 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 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 Slate River Dam #7.