Sherwood Dam dam
Sherwood Dam
Sherwood Dam is a private-owned structure located in Fauquier, Virginia, along the TR-Burnt Mill Run river. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet with a length of 400 feet, providing a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet for recreational purposes. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not yet rated condition assessment, Sherwood Dam is state-regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Although the dam's construction date and any modifications remain unknown, its purpose primarily focuses on recreation, offering opportunities for outdoor activities in the surrounding area. With a maximum storage capacity of 83 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 41 acre-feet, Sherwood Dam serves as a vital resource for water supply and conservation in the region. While the emergency action plan (EAP) status, risk assessment, and management measures are currently not available, the dam's location and design indicate its importance in managing water resources and mitigating potential climate-related risks in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Sherwood Dam presents an intriguing case study in private dam management within the state of Virginia. With its earth structure designed for recreational use and regulated by state authorities, the dam's role in water storage and risk prevention underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure practices amidst changing environmental conditions. Further research and monitoring of Sherwood Dam's operations and safety measures could provide valuable insights into leveraging water resources effectively while adapting to climate challenges in the future.
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 Sherwood Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek Near Middleburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek At Rt 734 Near Mountville | 5 cfs | → |
| N F Goose Creek At Rt 729 Near Lincoln | 8 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Leesburg | 46 cfs | → |
| Spout Run At Rt 621 Near Millwood | 8 cfs | → |
| S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sherwood Dam.
Boat launches
- Harry Byrd Highway Clarke County
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- River Haven Drive Jefferson County
- Smart's Mill Rd (Private) Leesburg
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Shannondale Springs Road 199, Jefferson County
Fishing spots
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Gillam Branch (Historical)
- Washington Aqueduct
- Moody Boat Launch
- Dalecarlia Reservoir
- Davis Branch (Historical)
Paddle runs
- Bixler Bridge On State Route 675 To Karo Landing, Approximately 6 Miles South Of Town Of Front Royal
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
- Segment C--Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork Shenandoah River
- Segment B--State Route 730 Bridge To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
Track Sherwood 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 Sherwood Dam
Where does the data for Sherwood 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 Sherwood Dam.