Epperson Dam dam
Epperson Dam
Epperson Dam in Pittsylvania, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 27 feet with a length of 240 feet, serves as a crucial barrier on an unnamed tributary to Elkhorn Creek. While its primary purpose is not specified, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres.
Despite being classified as having an undetermined hazard potential and not being rated for its condition, Epperson Dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of once a year. Emergency action plans and risk assessment measures have not been prepared or implemented for this dam, suggesting a need for enhanced safety protocols. The dam's proximity to Denver Riggleman's congressional district underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining its structural integrity to prevent potential risks to the local community and environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts should take interest in Epperson Dam as a significant component of the region's water management infrastructure. By keeping a close eye on its maintenance and safety protocols, stakeholders can ensure the continued protection and efficient utilization of this vital water resource.
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 Epperson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River At Paces | 651 cfs | → |
| Banister River At Halifax | 111 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 874 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Brookneal | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 200 cfs | → |
| Dan River At South Boston | 716 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Epperson Dam.
Boat launches
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- Radio Road Brookneal
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Maple Avenue 556, South Boston
- Highway 62, Milton
Track Epperson 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 Epperson Dam
Where does the data for Epperson 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 Epperson Dam.