Lower Ski Pond dam
Lower Ski Pond
Lower Ski Pond, located in Hillcrest, VA, is a privately owned water resource that serves multiple purposes, including water supply. This Earth type dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 1227 acre-feet. Despite lacking certain regulatory approvals and inspections, the Mine Safety and Health Administration oversees its operations, making it a significant hazard potential structure.
The dam, completed in an unspecified year, spans 1700 feet in length and has not undergone any modifications since its construction. With a condition assessment not available and no Emergency Action Plan in place, there are concerns about its safety and risk management measures. While the dam's exact condition remains unknown, its proximity to the Congressional District 05 of Virginia underscores the importance of ensuring its structural integrity and emergency preparedness.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be captivated by Lower Ski Pond's enigmatic status, as its condition assessment, emergency response plans, and regulatory oversight raise questions about its safety and long-term sustainability. As a key water supply source in Buckingham, Virginia, the dam's significance in the region underscores the need for regular inspections, risk assessments, and robust risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and protect surrounding communities and ecosystems from any unforeseen disasters.
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 Lower Ski Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 826 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Ski Pond.
Boat launches
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- James River Road Nelson County
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- Nelson County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
Campgrounds
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
- Holliday Lake State Park
- James River State Park
- Twin Lakes State Park
- Westview On The James
Track Lower Ski Pond 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 Lower Ski Pond
Where does the data for Lower Ski Pond 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 Significant 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 Lower Ski Pond.