Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam dam
Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam
Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam, located in Isle of Wight, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The dam, situated on TR-JONES CREEK, serves primarily for recreational purposes with a maximum storage capacity of 87 acre-feet. Standing at a height of 18 feet, the earth dam is designed to provide both hydraulic control and structural stability, ensuring the safety and functionality of the reservoir.
Despite being classified as having an undetermined hazard potential and not yet rated for its condition, Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam remains under regular state inspection to ensure its integrity and compliance with safety standards. While the specifics of the dam's construction year, length, and volume are not provided, its significance lies in its role in supporting recreational activities and maintaining water resources in the region. With its location in a picturesque setting, the dam contributes to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape while serving as a vital infrastructure for water management and climate resilience efforts in Virginia.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the details of structures like Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam is crucial for promoting sustainable practices and safeguarding our environment. By staying informed about the regulatory oversight, purpose, and design aspects of dams like this one, we can better appreciate the importance of these structures in managing water resources, supporting recreational activities, and mitigating potential risks associated with flooding or other hazards. Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship, highlighting the ongoing need for responsible water management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 4 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 132 cfs | → |
| Pasquotank River Near South Mills | 8 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 33 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Stony Creek | 63 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam.
Boat launches
- Boundary Road 21205, Carrollton
- Horseback Trail Chuckatuck
- Bob House Parkway Suffolk
- Field Trail Suffolk
Track Smithfield Downs Golf Course 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 Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam
Where does the data for Smithfield Downs Golf Course 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 Smithfield Downs Golf Course Dam.