Harvell Dam

Colonial Heights, Virginia

This area has steady, flowing water with rocks that cause small rapids. River grasses and shrubbery are present throughout the water and access areas, providing an array of wildlife in and around the river.

Water Quality
  • Meets water quality standards

  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on May 25th, 2023. James River Association updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on May 26th, 2023 at 5:03 PM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  
Monitoring Frequency

Harvell Dam is sampled weekly from May 20th to September 10th.

Source Information

James River Association manages the James River Watch program - a water quality monitoring initiative covering locations throughout the James watershed. Partners from across Virginia support and contribute valuable data to the program, including Rivanna Conservation Alliance, American Water, Virginia State University, Peninsula Master Naturalists, Twin River Outfitters, Riverside Outfitters, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District and Appomattox River Company.

Water samples are collected and processed for fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, air/water temperature, conductivity and salinity (at brackish water sites). Once bacteria results are available (approximately 24-hours after sample collection), results are immediately posted on the James River Watch website (www.jamesriverwatch.org) and on the Swim Guide to inform the public of river conditions.

Samples are collected every Thursday from May (Memorial Day) to September (Labor Day). A station is posted red if it exceeds safe swimming condition threholds for fecal coliform bacteria. The Virginia swimming standards are: >or= 235 cfu/100 mL (Freshwater stations); >or= 104 cfu/100mL (Brackish stations).

High bacteria levels and/or elevated river heights can trigger an unsafe notification at www.jamesriverwatch.org.

Read more
Water Quality Graph

Harvell Dam

Colonial Heights, Virginia

Water Quality
  • Meets water quality standards
  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on May 25th, 2023. James River Association updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on May 26th, 2023 at 5:03 PM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  

This area has steady, flowing water with rocks that cause small rapids. River grasses and shrubbery are present throughout the water and access areas, providing an array of wildlife in and around the river.

Monitoring Frequency

Harvell Dam is sampled weekly from May 20th to September 10th.

Source Information

James River Association manages the James River Watch program - a water quality monitoring initiative covering locations throughout the James watershed. Partners from across Virginia support and contribute valuable data to the program, including Rivanna Conservation Alliance, American Water, Virginia State University, Peninsula Master Naturalists, Twin River Outfitters, Riverside Outfitters, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District and Appomattox River Company.

Water samples are collected and processed for fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, air/water temperature, conductivity and salinity (at brackish water sites). Once bacteria results are available (approximately 24-hours after sample collection), results are immediately posted on the James River Watch website (www.jamesriverwatch.org) and on the Swim Guide to inform the public of river conditions.

Samples are collected every Thursday from May (Memorial Day) to September (Labor Day). A station is posted red if it exceeds safe swimming condition threholds for fecal coliform bacteria. The Virginia swimming standards are: >or= 235 cfu/100 mL (Freshwater stations); >or= 104 cfu/100mL (Brackish stations).

High bacteria levels and/or elevated river heights can trigger an unsafe notification at www.jamesriverwatch.org.

Read more
Water Quality Graph

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