Leatherwood Creek Dam #5 dam
Leatherwood Creek Dam #5
Leatherwood Creek Dam #5, also known as Lawrence Dam, is a vital structure located in Henry, Virginia, designed by the Virginia DCR - Division of Soil and Water Conservation. This earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet with a hydraulic height of 57 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the Leatherwood Creek. With a storage capacity of 2997 acre-feet and a drainage area of 11.5 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating potential hazards and protecting the surrounding areas from flooding.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Leatherwood Creek Dam #5 has a high hazard potential but is assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in July 2019. The dam's normal storage capacity is 235 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 32.3 acres. While the dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, it remains an essential asset for the local government in flood risk management. With state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, the dam ensures the safety and protection of the community against potential environmental risks.
Despite its age and the need for periodic inspections, Leatherwood Creek Dam #5 stands as a critical infrastructure for flood control and water resource management in the region. Its strategic location, design, and purpose make it a key component in the efforts to safeguard the area from the impacts of extreme weather events and potential flooding. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of this dam lies in its role in enhancing community resilience and maintaining the balance between water conservation and risk reduction in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Leatherwood Creek Dam #5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 352 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Danville | 11 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 337 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 350 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 344 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 20 cfs | → |
About Leatherwood Creek Dam #5
Where does the data for Leatherwood Creek Dam #5 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 below 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.
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.