Grassdale Dam dam
Grassdale Dam
Grassdale Dam, also known as Javer Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Louisa, Virginia, along Bunch Creek. This gravity-type dam stands at a height of 23 feet and spans 400 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. While its primary purpose is for recreation, its hazard potential and condition assessment remain undetermined and not rated, respectively. Despite these uncertainties, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring that state permitting, inspections, and enforcement are carried out to maintain safety standards.
Situated within the Baltimore District, Grassdale Dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its unique characteristics and potential for recreational activities. The dam's location in a picturesque setting offers opportunities for outdoor adventure and relaxation, attracting visitors who appreciate the beauty of its surroundings. Although the dam's risk assessment and emergency action plan status are currently undisclosed, the continuous oversight by state regulatory agencies ensures that safety measures are in place to protect the surrounding community and environment.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Grassdale Dam serves as a notable example of a privately-owned structure that plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts. With its proximity to Bunch Creek and its capacity to store water for recreational purposes, the dam represents a balance between human enjoyment and environmental stewardship. While its exact completion date and maintenance history remain unknown, Grassdale Dam stands as a testament to the importance of responsible dam construction and 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 Grassdale 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 | → |
| Rapidan River Near Ruckersville | 108 cfs | → |
| Robinson River Near Locust Dale | 43 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 11 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grassdale Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- River Trail Powhatan County
- Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan County
Campgrounds
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lake Anna State Park
- Westview On The James
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Girl Scout Camp
- Loft Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Moody Boat Launch
- Batzell Boat Launch
Track Grassdale 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 Grassdale Dam
Where does the data for Grassdale 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 Grassdale Dam.