Virginia Lake dam
Virginia Lake
Virginia Lake, located in Clay, Alabama, is a state-owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. Built in 1951, this earth dam structure has a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet. The lake, situated along TR Ketchepedrakee Creek, offers a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
With a significant hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Virginia Lake is a focal point for ongoing monitoring and assessment. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, its emergency action plan status remains unclear, raising questions about preparedness and risk management measures. As part of the Mobile District, the lake is under state jurisdiction with no state regulatory agency overseeing its operations, inspections, or enforcement activities.
Despite its tranquil surroundings and recreational appeal, Virginia Lake poses potential risks that warrant attention and proactive measures to ensure public safety and environmental protection. As climate change impacts continue to shape water resource management strategies, the significance of assessing and addressing the safety and sustainability of reservoirs like Virginia Lake becomes increasingly imperative for the well-being of both the ecosystem and the community it serves.
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 Virginia Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 116 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 218 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River Near Newell Al | 177 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River At Wadley Al | 991 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 318 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River Below Bowdon | 70 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Virginia Lake.
Boat launches
- County Road 88 Randolph County
- Pointe South Drive Randolph County
- Randolph County
- County Road 99 Randolph County
- County Road 880 Randolph County
- County Road 895 Randolph County
Campgrounds
- Cheaha State Park
- Turnipseed Campground
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Lake Chinnabee
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Pine Glen
Fishing spots
Track Virginia 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 Virginia Lake
Where does the data for Virginia 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 Virginia Lake.