The Lake dam
The Lake
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Henrico, Virginia, The Lake, also known as Upper Dam @ Innsbrook, stands as a testament to the harmonious relationship between water resources and climate. This private earth dam, with a hydraulic height of 22 feet, plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of Rooty Branch and storing 92 acre-feet of water. Managed by Timmons Group and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Lake is a vital piece of infrastructure that ensures the safety and sustainability of its surrounding ecosystem.
Despite its significant hazard potential, The Lake remains in a condition that is yet to be assessed. While its Emergency Action Plan was last revised in 2015, the dam continues to stand as a symbol of resilience and careful stewardship. With its location in the Norfolk District and under the jurisdiction of the state of Virginia, The Lake serves as a model for effective water resource management and climate adaptation in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and study The Lake, its role in mitigating risks and ensuring water security remains paramount. With its intricate design and crucial function in regulating water flow, The Lake stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable infrastructure development in the face of a changing climate. As efforts to assess and improve its condition continue, The Lake serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and nature's resilience in the realm of water resource management.
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 The Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 153 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,610 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 51 cfs | → |
| Fine Creek At Fine Creek Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 9 cfs | → |
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near The Lake.
Track The Lake 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 The Lake
Where does the data for The Lake 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 The Lake.