Airfield Pond Dam dam
Airfield Pond Dam
Airfield Pond Dam, located in Sussex, Virginia, is a state-regulated earth dam standing at a height of 10 feet. The dam serves as a recreational water resource on the Willis Branch river, providing a storage capacity of 387.1 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 31.4 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is in poor condition as of the last assessment in February 2021, highlighting the need for maintenance and repair to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability.
Owned and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Airfield Pond Dam is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers opportunities for outdoor activities in the surrounding area. However, its poor condition and significant hazard potential underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks and safeguard the local community and environment. The dam's location within the Wilmington District and its association with the Willis Branch river make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and conservation of these vital natural assets.
As a key feature in the water infrastructure of Sussex, Virginia, Airfield Pond Dam plays a critical role in the local ecosystem and community. Its historical background and current condition present challenges and opportunities for sustainable water resource management. By addressing the dam's maintenance needs and ensuring regulatory compliance, stakeholders can work towards preserving this valuable recreational resource while promoting water conservation and climate resilience in the region.
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 Airfield Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 4 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 132 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Stony Creek | 63 cfs | → |
| Meherrin River At Emporia | 100 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Matoaca | 137 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Airfield Pond Dam.
Track Airfield Pond 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 Airfield Pond Dam
Where does the data for Airfield Pond 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 Significant 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 Airfield Pond Dam.