Shelhorse Dam dam
Shelhorse Dam
Shelhorse Dam, located in Pittsylvania, Virginia, is a private-owned structure that serves multiple purposes, with recreation being its primary focus. The dam, standing at 18 feet in height, holds a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and plays a crucial role in irrigation and recreational activities in the area. Situated along the TR-WHITEHORN CREEK, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring its proper maintenance and enforcement of safety measures.
Although the hazard potential of Shelhorse Dam is currently undetermined, its condition assessment remains unrated. Despite this, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are yet to be determined or updated. With a history that lacks information on years of completion or modifications, the dam continues to be a significant feature in the local water resource landscape and a key asset for the surrounding community.
Overall, Shelhorse Dam stands as a vital structure in the region, providing essential services for irrigation and recreation. With its exact completion date and modifications unknown, the dam's safety and risk management measures are yet to be fully assessed and updated. As a private-owned facility regulated by state agencies, the preservation and proper maintenance of Shelhorse Dam are crucial for its continued functionality and the safety of the community it serves.
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 Shelhorse Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 157 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Danville | 32 cfs | → |
| Dan River At Stp Near Danville | 498 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shelhorse Dam.
Boat launches
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
Track Shelhorse 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 Shelhorse Dam
Where does the data for Shelhorse 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 Shelhorse Dam.