White Dam dam
White Dam
White Dam in Virginia is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at 30 feet high and spanning 290 feet in length, this earth dam serves a critical purpose in water resource management. With a normal storage capacity of 23 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.3 acres, White Dam plays a vital role in the region's water supply and flood control efforts.
Although the hazard potential of White Dam is currently listed as undetermined and its condition assessment is not rated, the dam is subject to regular inspections and state regulatory oversight. While the exact year of completion and specific purposes of the dam remain unknown, its strategic location in Henry County, Virginia, underscores its significance in the local water infrastructure. As climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the impact of climate change on water resources, the role of structures like White Dam becomes increasingly important in ensuring sustainable water management practices.
White Dam's presence in the Wilmington District highlights its importance in the broader water resource system. As stakeholders work to assess risk management measures and emergency preparedness, the dam's role in mitigating potential hazards and ensuring water security for the surrounding area remains paramount. With its state-regulated status and private ownership, White Dam stands as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness of water resources, climate change, and infrastructure resilience in the face of environmental 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 White Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith River At Martinsville | 170 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Eden | 177 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 33 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Danville | 24 cfs | → |
| Mayo River Near Price | 105 cfs | → |
| Smith River At Bassett | 119 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Dam.
Boat launches
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
Campgrounds
- Goose Dam
- Salthouse Branch - Philpott Lake
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Track White 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 White Dam
Where does the data for White 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 White Dam.