Dover Lake Dam dam
Dover Lake Dam
Dover Lake Dam, also known as Sabot Hill, is a private dam located in Goochland, Virginia, along the Dover Creek. It is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and serves primarily for irrigation purposes. Standing at 41 feet high with a length of 530 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 4198 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 150 acres. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition according to its last assessment in April 2021.
The dam's location in the Norfolk District and its association with the Democratic Representative Abigail Davis Spanberger make it a significant point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a drainage area of 7.72 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 12,765 cubic feet per second, Dover Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Its inspection frequency of one year ensures that it continues to operate safely and effectively for both irrigation and recreational purposes.
As a private structure with state regulation and inspection, Dover Lake Dam represents the intersection of private ownership and public oversight in water resource management. Its satisfactory condition, high hazard potential, and storage capacity make it an essential component of the local water infrastructure. With its location in Goochland, Virginia, and its association with key agencies and officials, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of responsible dam operation and maintenance in the face of climate change and increasing water demands.
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 Dover Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
| James River At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dover Lake Dam.
Track Dover Lake 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 Dover Lake Dam
Where does the data for Dover Lake 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 High 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 Dover Lake Dam.