Lower Ayers Dam dam
Lower Ayers Dam
Lower Ayers Dam, located in Cumberland, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam, primarily used for irrigation purposes, stands at a height of 28 feet and has a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet. Although the condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated" and the hazard potential is considered "Undetermined," the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its safety and compliance with standards.
The dam, classified as an Earth type, is situated within the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While specific details such as the year of completion, spillway type, and inspection frequency are not provided, the presence of state oversight and regulation indicates a commitment to maintaining the integrity and functionality of the structure. With a drainage area of 0.17 square miles, Lower Ayers Dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region, highlighting the importance of water resource management and infrastructure upkeep in the face of changing climate patterns.
Despite certain information gaps regarding the dam's history and maintenance practices, Lower Ayers Dam remains a significant component of the water management system in Cumberland, Virginia. As water resources and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and advocate for sustainable practices, understanding the role and condition of structures like Lower Ayers Dam is essential for ensuring the resilience and reliability of water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Ayers Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Ayers Dam.
Boat launches
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Prince Edward County
- Otter's Path Trail Prince Edward County
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Marshall Town Road Lunenburg County
Campgrounds
Track Lower Ayers 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 Ayers Dam
Where does the data for Lower Ayers 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 Ayers Dam.