General Land Company Dam dam
General Land Company Dam
The General Land Company Dam, also known as Watermill Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Chesterfield, Virginia. This earth-type dam stands at 10 feet tall and spans 500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet. While its primary purpose is for recreation, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring that it meets all state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
Despite being classified as having an undetermined hazard potential and not having a current condition assessment, the General Land Company Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Situated in the Norfolk District and overseen by Congresswoman Abigail Davis Spanberger, this dam offers opportunities for outdoor activities in a picturesque setting. As the dam continues to be monitored and managed by state agencies, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and safeguarding our water resources for future generations.
While specific details such as the year of completion, spillway type, and emergency action plan status are currently unavailable, the General Land Company Dam remains a focal point for those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate change. With its serene surroundings and potential for outdoor recreation, this dam stands as a testament to the balance between human enjoyment of natural resources and responsible stewardship. As efforts to assess and manage its risk potential progress, enthusiasts can look forward to enjoying the beauty and utility of this structure for years to come.
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 General Land Company Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Near Mannboro | 15 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 126 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near General Land Company Dam.
Track General Land Company 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 General Land Company Dam
Where does the data for General Land Company 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 General Land Company Dam.