Barlows Pond Dam dam
Barlows Pond Dam
Barlows Pond Dam, also known as Laurel Lake, is a privately owned recreational dam located in York, Virginia. Situated on Skimino Creek within the Norfolk District, this earth dam stands at 11.8 feet high and spans 860 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a surface area of 52 acres, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
While the dam is deemed to have a significant hazard potential, its condition assessment as of September 2020 was rated as fair. Regular inspections have been conducted, with the last one occurring in September 2020, and the dam is subject to state regulation by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Despite the lack of information on the year of completion and specifics on spillway type or discharge capacity, Barlows Pond Dam remains a notable feature in the area, attracting visitors seeking outdoor recreation and a connection to the local water resources.
As a key structure in the region, Barlows Pond Dam contributes to the conservation and management of water resources in Virginia. Its presence not only adds to the recreational offerings in the area but also highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams to ensure their safety and continued functionality. For those interested in water resource management and climate-related issues, Barlows Pond Dam serves as a case study in balancing the benefits of water-based recreation with the necessity of proper dam maintenance and regulation to mitigate potential risks.
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 Barlows Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 14 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 27 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 1 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 6 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek Near Tappahannock | 14 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barlows Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Cappahosic Road Gloucester County
- Jamestown Road 1826, James City County
- Charles City County
- ,
- Ware House Road Gloucester Courthouse
- Glass Island Road West Point
Track Barlows Pond Dam 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 Barlows Pond Dam
Where does the data for Barlows Pond Dam 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 Barlows Pond Dam.