Richmond Zoo Dam dam
Richmond Zoo Dam
Richmond Zoo Dam, located in Chesterfield, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 26.25 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 49.35 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.7 acres. While the hazard potential of the dam is currently labeled as "undetermined" and its condition has not been rated, it undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of one per year.
Despite lacking specific details on the dam's construction year and purposes, Richmond Zoo Dam serves as a crucial water resource within the area. With a normal storage capacity of 32.2 acre-feet, the dam plays a significant role in managing water flow and storage in the region. The dam's location within the Norfolk District underscores its importance in local water management efforts, highlighting its impact on the surrounding environment and climate.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts analyze the data surrounding Richmond Zoo Dam, questions arise regarding its risk management measures and emergency preparedness. With aspects such as emergency action plans, risk assessments, and inundation maps still pending updates, there is an opportunity for stakeholders to enhance the dam's safety protocols. By addressing these critical areas, Richmond Zoo Dam can continue to fulfill its vital role in water resource management while mitigating potential risks and ensuring the safety of the surrounding community.
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 Richmond Zoo Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Near Mannboro | 15 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 126 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richmond Zoo Dam.
Boat launches
- Woolridge Road Boat Ramp
- Commodore Point Place 3801, Brandermill
- Lake Chesdin Parkway Chesterfield County
- Forest Exploration Trail Chesterfield County
- Mill Quarter Road 1384, Powhatan
- Waterfowl Flyway 9111, Chesterfield County
Track Richmond Zoo 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 Richmond Zoo Dam
Where does the data for Richmond Zoo 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 Richmond Zoo Dam.