Ford Colony Dam #1 dam
Ford Colony Dam #1
Ford Colony Dam #1, located in James City, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 17.5 feet with a storage capacity of 198.03 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and lack of a condition rating, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure public safety.
Constructed with a structural height of 17.5 feet and a length of 550 feet, Ford Colony Dam #1 serves as a key component in the local water infrastructure. With a normal storage capacity of 73.14 acre-feet and a surface area of 15.9 acres, the dam plays a significant role in flood control and water supply for the surrounding area. Although the dam's specific purposes and primary type are not specified, its importance in the region's water management cannot be understated.
While the specific year of completion and other details about the dam remain unknown, its location at a latitude of 37.3023 and a longitude of -76.7707 places it within the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With its state-regulated status and adherence to inspection and enforcement protocols, Ford Colony Dam #1 stands as a critical structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and appreciate in the ongoing efforts to sustainably manage water resources in Virginia.
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 Ford Colony Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 27 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 1 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 6 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 14 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ford Colony Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Jamestown Road 1826, James City County
- Charles City County
- Marina Drive Surry County
- Cappahosic Road Gloucester County
- Campsite Drive 606, Lee Hall
- Greate Road Gloucester Point
Track Ford Colony Dam #1 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 Ford Colony Dam #1
Where does the data for Ford Colony Dam #1 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 Ford Colony Dam #1.