Wrights Millpond Dam dam
Wrights Millpond Dam
Wrights Millpond Dam in Essex, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities. The dam, classified as an earth dam, stands at 17 feet in height and offers a storage capacity of 133 acre-feet. While the hazard potential is labeled as undetermined and the condition assessment is not rated, the dam is subject to state inspection, regulation, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Located within the Norfolk District, Wrights Millpond Dam boasts a picturesque setting with its position along a waterway, although specific details regarding the dam length, volume, and drainage area are not provided in the data. Despite the lack of certain information, water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates may find interest in this dam as it represents a vital piece of infrastructure that supports recreational activities and water storage in the region. With its state permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures in place, the dam serves as a focal point for both leisure and regulatory oversight in the area.
In conclusion, Wrights Millpond Dam stands as a noteworthy structure in Virginia, offering both recreational value and regulatory significance. As a state-regulated dam with a focus on recreation, it provides a platform for water resource enthusiasts to explore the intersection between human activity and natural resources. While specific details about the dam's construction year, length, and volume remain undisclosed, its presence within the conservation and recreation framework underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving climate 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 Wrights Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataway Creek Near Tappahannock | 13 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 47 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 13 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 2 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 86 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wrights Millpond Dam.
Boat launches
- Walkerton Boat Ramp
- Melrose Landing 1202, King And Queen County
- Farnham Creek Road 1828, Richmond County
- White's Landing Road Gordon Landing
- Waterfence Road 1504, King And Queen County
- Gardy's Mill Road 322, Westmoreland County
Fishing spots
Track Wrights Millpond 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 Wrights Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Wrights Millpond 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 Wrights Millpond Dam.