Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam

Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Albemarle County, Virginia. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam

The primary purpose of Martha Jefferson Retention Basin Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Martha Jefferson Hospital;martha Jefferson Hospital (private). It impounds the Trib. Rivanna River.

The dam stands 36 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 29 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/26/2020.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateVirginia
CountyAlbemarle
River/StreamTrib. Rivanna River
Coordinates38.02350, -78.44670

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height36 ft
Dam Height36 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage29 acre-ft
Max Storage29 acre-ft
Normal Storage6 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerMartha Jefferson Hospital;Martha Jefferson Hospital
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/26/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDVA003026
Federal IDVA003026
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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