Cochrane Dam dam
Cochrane Dam
Cochrane Dam, also known as Willoughby Heights, is a vital water resource structure located in Hanover, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 128 acre-feet. Situated on a tributary of Mill Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and ensuring water security in the region.
Although the hazard potential of Cochrane Dam is currently undetermined, it is subject to regular inspections and is under state regulation, permitting, and enforcement. While the condition assessment is not rated and there is no specific year of completion listed, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively. With its strategic location and design, Cochrane Dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in the area, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate patterns.
As a key infrastructure in the region, Cochrane Dam's presence underscores the need for proactive risk management and emergency preparedness. While certain details like the year of completion and specific purposes are not provided, the dam's significance in water regulation and storage cannot be understated. With ongoing assessments and inspections, Cochrane Dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources to mitigate potential risks and ensure the resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of climate challenges.
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 Cochrane Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cochrane Dam.
Boat launches
- Mountain Road Hanover County
- Bateau Landing Road 4399, Powhatan County
- Watkins Landing Road 3099, Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- River Launch Road Powhatan County
Track Cochrane 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 Cochrane Dam
Where does the data for Cochrane 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 Cochrane Dam.