Rickman Dam dam
Rickman Dam
Rickman Dam, located in Halifax, Virginia, is a privately-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 29 feet and spanning 380 feet in length, this earth dam serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. The dam, built with a hydraulic height matching its structural height, holds a normal storage level of 39 acre-feet over a surface area of 3.94 acres.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and unrated condition assessment, Rickman Dam remains a crucial water resource in the region. While the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment details are lacking, it is regularly inspected and monitored by state regulatory agencies to ensure its structural integrity and overall safety. The dam's primary purpose extends beyond irrigation, emphasizing its significance in water management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
With Denver Riggleman representing the Wilmington District where Rickman Dam is situated, the dam plays a pivotal role in sustaining water supply and supporting agricultural activities in the region. As a key component in the local water infrastructure, Rickman Dam underscores the importance of effective dam management practices and proactive risk mitigation measures in safeguarding water resources and adapting to changing climate patterns.
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 Rickman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River At Paces | 664 cfs | → |
| Banister River At Halifax | 103 cfs | → |
| Dan River At South Boston | 661 cfs | → |
| Hyco River Near Denniston | 143 cfs | → |
| Hyco R Bl Abay D Nr Mcgehees Mill | 4 cfs | → |
| Mayo Cr Nr Bethel Hill | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rickman Dam.
Boat launches
- Maple Avenue 556, South Boston
- Highway 62, Milton
- Neal's Store Road 854, Roxboro
- Radio Road Brookneal
- Scuffletown Road Charlotte County
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
Track Rickman 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 Rickman Dam
Where does the data for Rickman 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 Rickman Dam.