Carlton Dam dam
Carlton Dam
Carlton Dam, located in Prince Edward, Virginia, is a recreational dam standing at 23 feet in height, with a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dam on TR-Little Buffalo Creek serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not yet rated condition assessment, the dam remains under state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with standards.
The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, attracting visitors to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty and water activities. With its location in a picturesque setting and close proximity to Wilmington District, the dam offers a tranquil escape for those seeking a peaceful retreat or a place to engage in outdoor recreation. Although details such as the dam's construction year and spillway type are not provided, the presence of emergency action plans and contacts hints at a commitment to preparedness and safety measures in case of any unforeseen events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Carlton Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. The dam's association with the state of Virginia, its compliance with regulatory agencies, and its recreational focus highlight the importance of balancing human enjoyment of water resources with environmental and safety considerations. As efforts continue to assess and manage the dam's risk potential, Carlton Dam remains a valuable asset for both local residents and visitors seeking to connect with nature and enjoy water-based activities in a controlled and regulated environment.
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 Carlton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
| James River At Bent Creek | 826 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carlton Dam.
Boat launches
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Prince Edward County
- Otter's Path Trail Prince Edward County
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Marshall Town Road Lunenburg County
Campgrounds
Track Carlton 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 Carlton Dam
Where does the data for Carlton 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 Carlton Dam.