Spotsylvania County Dam #8 dam
Spotsylvania County Dam #8
Spotsylvania County Dam #8, located in Virginia, is a crucial water resource managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This dam, with a height of 17.5 feet and a storage capacity of over 1000 acre-feet, plays a vital role in the area's water supply and regulation. While the dam's primary purpose and specific design details are not provided, its state-regulated status ensures that it undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to maintain safety and functionality.
Managed by the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Spotsylvania County Dam #8 is associated with various federal agencies for funding, design, construction, regulation, inspection, and operation. The dam's hazard potential is currently labeled as undetermined, with its condition assessment not rated. Despite this, the dam's emergency action plan, risk assessment, and inundation maps are not clearly prepared or updated, raising questions about the readiness for potential emergencies. As an enthusiast of water resources and climate, monitoring the developments and maintenance of this dam is crucial to ensure its continued effectiveness and safety for the surrounding community.
In conclusion, Spotsylvania County Dam #8 is a significant infrastructure in Virginia, playing a critical role in water storage and regulation. With a storage capacity of over 1000 acre-feet and state-regulated status, the dam undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. However, the lack of a clear emergency action plan and risk assessment raises concerns about its readiness for potential emergencies. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the developments and maintenance of this dam is essential for ensuring its continued effectiveness and safety for the community.
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 Spotsylvania County Dam #8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 213 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 4 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 13 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 2 cfs | → |
| North Anna River Near Partlow | 46 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spotsylvania County Dam #8.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Campsite #6
- Campground 3
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
- Smallwood State Park Youth Group Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Spotsylvania County Dam #8 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 Spotsylvania County Dam #8
Where does the data for Spotsylvania County Dam #8 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 Spotsylvania County Dam #8.