Upper Powhatan Dam dam
Upper Powhatan Dam
Upper Powhatan Dam, also known as Finch's Mill Pond or Powhatans Lake Dam (Upper), is a state-regulated structure located in Powhatan, Virginia. Owned by the state and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 210 acres and a maximum storage of 750 acres. Built as an earth dam, it stands at a height of 26.75 feet and spans 435 feet in length along Stegers Creek.
Despite its recreational benefits, Upper Powhatan Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition, as revealed by a recent inspection in March 2020. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in May 2008, raising concerns about its readiness to handle potential risks and emergencies. With a drainage area of 5 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 4330 cubic feet per second, the dam's structural integrity and maintenance remain critical factors for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the significance of Upper Powhatan Dam within the context of Virginia's water infrastructure, its location along Stegers Creek offers a valuable opportunity to study the intersection of recreation, conservation, and safety. With State jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, the dam's role in supporting local ecosystems and recreational activities underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management. As discussions continue on enhancing the dam's condition assessment, emergency preparedness, and risk mitigation measures, a collaborative effort is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital water resource in Powhatan, 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 Upper Powhatan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Cartersville | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Mattoax | 115 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Near Mannboro | 15 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Powhatan Dam.
Track Upper Powhatan 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 Upper Powhatan Dam
Where does the data for Upper Powhatan 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 High 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 Upper Powhatan Dam.