Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam dam
Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam
Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam, located in Caroline, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure under the oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam, standing at a height of 12 feet with a length of 275 feet, serves as a barrier on Tanyard Swamp, contributing to a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. Despite being rated as "Undetermined" in terms of hazard potential and "Not Rated" in condition assessment, the dam's inspection frequency of once per year ensures ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
The dam's purpose and primary type are unspecified, but its presence highlights the importance of water resource management in the region. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water availability, structures like Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam play a critical role in regulating flow and mitigating flood risks. With its strategic location and state jurisdiction, the dam represents a key asset in ensuring the resilience of the local ecosystem and communities in the face of changing environmental conditions.
While specific details about the dam's construction year and design features remain unknown, its role in water storage and flood control on Tanyard Swamp underscores the interconnectedness of water resources and climate dynamics. Moving forward, continued assessments, maintenance, and potential risk management measures will be essential to sustain the dam's functionality and safeguard against potential hazards, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to responsible water infrastructure management in the region.
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 Tanyard Swamp Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 34 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 48 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 51 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 101 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam.
Track Lower Tanyard Swamp 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 Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam
Where does the data for Lower Tanyard Swamp 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 Lower Tanyard Swamp Dam.