Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a dam
Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a
Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a, also known as Lacks Lake, is a local government-owned structure located in Charlotte, Virginia, near the city of Drakes Branch. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 36.4 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the unnamed tributary to Horsepen Creek. With a storage capacity of 794 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 59 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flooding in the area.
The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as satisfactory in its condition, with the most recent inspection conducted in November 2019. The Department of Conservation and Recreation of Virginia oversees the regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement of this dam, ensuring its compliance with state standards and safety measures. Despite not being under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a remains a vital structure in the local water resource management system, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and risk management practices to safeguard the surrounding community and environment from potential hazards.
Overall, Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a stands as a critical infrastructure component in the flood risk reduction strategy for the region, demonstrating the collaborative efforts between local government agencies and state regulators to ensure the safety and resilience of water resources in the face of changing climatic conditions. The dam's role in controlling water flow, storing excess water, and reducing flood risks underscores its significance in protecting the community and surrounding areas from potential water-related disasters. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring the condition and management of structures like Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a is essential for promoting sustainable water management practices and enhancing resilience to climate impacts 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 Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,470 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Brookneal | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Banister River At Halifax | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a.
Boat launches
- Scuffletown Road Charlotte County
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Carters Point Road Mecklenburg County
- State Route 1011 Victoria
- Radio Road Brookneal
- Prince Edward County
Track Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a 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 Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a
Where does the data for Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a 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 High 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 Roanoke Creek Dam # 61a.