Ferron Dam dam
Ferron Dam
Ferron Dam, located in Louisa, Virginia, is a private-owned earth dam that spans 350 feet in length and stands at a height of 28 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. Situated on Beaverdam Creek, this dam boasts a storage capacity of 112 acre-feet, making it a crucial resource for water management in the area. While the hazard potential of the dam is currently listed as undetermined, its condition assessment remains unrated, highlighting the need for further evaluation and monitoring.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Ferron Dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite lacking specific details on its completion year and construction features, the dam plays a significant role in maintaining water levels for recreational activities and wildlife habitat in the region. As a key structure in the area, Ferron Dam's importance lies not only in its functional purpose but also in its potential impact on the surrounding environment and community.
Though the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment details are currently unavailable, its presence underscores the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With its proximity to Baltimore District and under the oversight of local and state agencies, Ferron Dam stands as a vital component of water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts to observe and study.
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 Ferron Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 79 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 25 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 11 cfs | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 108 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 19 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferron Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- River Trail Powhatan County
Campgrounds
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lake Anna State Park
- Girl Scout Camp
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Batzell Boat Launch
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
Track Ferron 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 Ferron Dam
Where does the data for Ferron 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 Ferron Dam.