Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a dam
Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a
Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a, also known as Ruritan Lake, is a local government-owned structure located in Charlotte Court House, Virginia. This dam plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction for the area, with a height of 31 feet and a length of 855 feet. It has a storage capacity of 2219 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 36.2 acres, serving a drainage area of 4.8 square miles.
The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and is inspected regularly to ensure its integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the condition assessment as of November 2019 was rated as fair. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last reviewed in November 2016, and while it meets guidelines, there is room for improvement in terms of risk assessment and management measures.
With its strategic location and vital role in flood risk reduction, Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and regulatory oversight of such structures is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the surrounding communities.
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 # 43a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,470 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Brookneal | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a.
Boat launches
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Scuffletown Road Charlotte County
- Prince Edward County
- Radio Road Brookneal
- Otter's Path Trail Prince Edward County
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Twin Lakes State Park
- Holliday Lake State Park
- Staunton River State Park
- Buffalo Landing - Kerr Reservoir
- Rudds Creek - Kerr Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a 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 # 43a
Where does the data for Roanoke Creek Dam # 43a 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 # 43a.