Richardson Dam dam
Richardson Dam
Richardson Dam, located in Franklin, Virginia, is a privately-owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. With a height of 28 feet and a length of 210 feet, the dam offers a storage capacity of 40.21 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.2 acres. While the dam's hazard potential is currently undetermined, it is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Despite lacking a specific completion year, Richardson Dam remains a key feature in the region, serving as a recreational hub for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The dam's earth structure and hydraulic height of 28 feet contribute to its functionality and presence in the landscape. The surrounding area, within the Huntington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, benefits from the dam's normal storage capacity of 31.4 acre-feet, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and water resource management in the region.
Although the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, its importance for recreation and potential water resource management cannot be understated. As the dam continues to be regulated, inspected, and maintained, Richardson Dam stands as a symbol of both human ingenuity and the need for sustainable water resource practices in the face of a changing climate. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the significance of Richardson Dam in balancing conservation with recreational enjoyment in the heart of Virginia.
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 Richardson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 126 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Martinsville | 170 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 38 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Smith Riv Church Nr Woolwine | 12 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richardson Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
Campgrounds
- Goose Dam
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
- Ryans Branch - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
More reservoirs
Track Richardson 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 Richardson Dam
Where does the data for Richardson 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 Richardson Dam.