Leesville dam
Leesville
Leesville is a hydroelectric dam located in Pittsylvania, Virginia, along the Roanoke River. Constructed in 1963, this gravity dam stands at a height of 90 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 94,960 acre-feet. With a hydraulic height of 73 feet and a structural height of 90 feet, Leesville plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Leesville is considered to have a high hazard potential due to its location and design. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 200 feet and is equipped with four Tainter radial gates for water release. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment, but emergency action plans are in place to address any potential risks associated with the structure.
With a maximum discharge capacity of 162,000 cubic feet per second and a surface area of 3,270 acres, Leesville serves as a vital resource for water management and energy production in the area. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, this dam provides essential services while also posing challenges in terms of maintenance and risk management. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, understanding the intricacies of dams like Leesville is crucial for ensuring the sustainable utilization of these critical assets in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Leesville -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 157 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Falling River Near Naruna | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leesville .
Boat launches
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Camp Lowman
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Goose Dam
- Roanoke Mtn
Track Leesville 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 Leesville
Where does the data for Leesville 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 Leesville .