West Ash Pond Dam dam
West Ash Pond Dam
West Ash Pond Dam, located in Fluvanna, Virginia, is a vital structure owned by a Public Utility and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Designed by Golder Associates and the Virginia Electric and Power Company, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 258 acre-feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and was last inspected in June 2020, with a satisfactory condition assessment.
Despite its primary purpose being classified as "Other," West Ash Pond Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With its state-regulated status and regular inspections, this dam ensures the safety and stability of the surrounding area. In the event of an emergency, the dam is equipped with measures to mitigate risks and protect the community, although details on emergency preparedness and risk assessment are currently unavailable.
Overall, West Ash Pond Dam serves as a significant infrastructure component in the water resource landscape of Virginia. Its design, construction, and regulatory oversight highlight the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the dam and safeguarding the environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role and characteristics of West Ash Pond Dam provides valuable insights into the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and natural 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 West Ash Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
| James River At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Ash Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Columbia Road Columbia
- River Anne Palmyra
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
Campgrounds
Track West Ash Pond 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 West Ash Pond Dam
Where does the data for West Ash Pond 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 Low 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 West Ash Pond Dam.