Willow Lake Dam dam
Willow Lake Dam
Willow Lake Dam, also known as Koogler Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Rockbridge, Virginia. The dam is situated on Moores Creek and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 26.3 feet and a length of 1100 feet, Willow Lake Dam provides a storage capacity of 363 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 208 acre-feet. The dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
The dam's hazard potential is currently classified as undetermined, with its condition assessment marked as 'Not Rated' as of the last inspection in June 2015. While the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status is unspecified, the dam is inspected annually to assess any potential risks and ensure prompt action in case of emergencies. The surrounding area features a surface area of 26 acres and a drainage area of 2 square miles, making it a vital resource for water management in the region.
With its scenic location and significant water storage capacity, Willow Lake Dam stands as an essential component of the water infrastructure in Rockbridge, Virginia. Despite its private ownership, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while also contributing to water resource management and flood control in the area. Its state-regulated status and regular inspections demonstrate a commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, making Willow Lake Dam a notable structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Willow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maury River At Rockbridge Baths | 56 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 10 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 110 cfs | → |
| Calfpasture River Above Mill Creek At Goshen | 22 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 9 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Piney River | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Walton Tract Canoe Access Point
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Walter Robinson Canoe Access Point
- Douthat State Park Road Bath County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Ford Where Route 609 Departs From Route 678 To Confluence With Cowpasture River
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
Track Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willow Lake 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 Undetermined 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 Willow Lake Dam.