Leatherwood Creek Dam #3 Dam
Leatherwood Creek Dam #3
Leatherwood Creek Dam #3, also known as Finney Dam, is a vital structure located in Henry County, Virginia, that serves as a key component in flood risk reduction along the W.F. Leatherwood Creek. Built in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 41 feet and spans 407 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 2400 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is in fair condition according to a 2019 assessment, with a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Leatherwood Creek Dam #3 is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in flood control. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, and it plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during periods of high water flow. With a drainage area of 10.2 square miles and a surface area of 35.3 acres, the dam is a significant asset in managing water resources in the region.
Local government ownership and oversight, combined with state regulatory agency involvement, demonstrate a collaborative approach to maintaining the integrity of Leatherwood Creek Dam #3. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme events, the importance of well-maintained infrastructure like this dam becomes even more pronounced for ensuring the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the face of water-related challenges.
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 #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 189 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 183 cfs | → |
| Smith River Near Philpott | 161 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 269 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 79 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Danville | 50 cfs | → |
About Leatherwood Creek Dam #3
Where does the data for Leatherwood Creek Dam #3 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.