Flippen Dam dam
Flippen Dam
Flippen Dam, located in Cumberland, Virginia, is a privately owned rockfill dam constructed in 1900 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 138 acre-feet, serving as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreational activities. Situated on Muddy Creek, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and undergoes regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its age, Flippen Dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, and its hazard potential is deemed undetermined. The dam has not been modified over the years, and there is no emergency action plan (EAP) in place at present. While the risk assessment, risk management measures, and inundation maps are not prepared or finalized, the dam continues to attract visitors for its recreational offerings and picturesque surroundings. With its historical significance and potential for future enhancements, Flippen Dam remains a noteworthy site for exploration and enjoyment in the region.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate can appreciate Flippen Dam for its role in providing recreational opportunities and its connection to Muddy Creek. As a privately owned structure regulated by state authorities, the dam serves as a focal point for outdoor activities in Cumberland, Virginia. While there are aspects of its safety and emergency preparedness that warrant further attention, Flippen Dam's historical charm and natural beauty make it a captivating location for visitors to explore and appreciate the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in water resource management.
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 Flippen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Flippen Dam.
Boat launches
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Mill Mount Trail Powhatan County
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- Mill Quarter Road 1384, Powhatan
Campgrounds
Track Flippen 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 Flippen Dam
Where does the data for Flippen 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 Flippen Dam.