Ortel Dam dam
Ortel Dam
Ortel Dam, located in Cumberland, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure owned by an unspecified entity with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at 20 feet high, this earth dam has a storage capacity of 114 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is labeled as undetermined and its condition is not rated, it is subject to state inspection, regulation, and enforcement by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Despite lacking specific details on its construction and completion year, Ortel Dam remains a vital water resource in the region, offering recreational opportunities in a picturesque setting. Situated within the Norfolk District, the dam's location at 37.3684° N, -78.4079° W makes it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the diverse landscapes of Virginia. While the dam's risk assessment and emergency preparedness measures are not explicitly outlined, its presence contributes to the overall water management infrastructure in the area.
As an integral part of the water management system in Virginia, Ortel Dam serves as a focal point for outdoor activities and natural beauty. While its specific features such as spillway type and discharge capacity are not detailed, the dam's role in providing recreational opportunities and contributing to the local ecosystem is evident. With ongoing state regulation and inspection, Ortel Dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management, offering a glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, recreation, and environmental stewardship.
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 Ortel 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 | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 826 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ortel Dam.
Boat launches
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Prince Edward County
- Otter's Path Trail Prince Edward County
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
Campgrounds
- Holliday Lake State Park
- Twin Lakes State Park
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
- James River State Park
- Westview On The James
Track Ortel 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 Ortel Dam
Where does the data for Ortel 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 Ortel Dam.