Lake Bacova Dam dam
Lake Bacova Dam
Located in Bath, Virginia, Lake Bacova Dam is a privately owned earth dam that serves the primary purpose of recreation. The dam has a height of 18 feet and a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 27 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring that it meets all state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements.
Situated on Jerry Run (offstream), Lake Bacova Dam offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. While the hazard potential of the dam is currently undetermined and its condition is not rated, its recreational value and regulatory oversight make it an intriguing site to visit. With its location in the Huntington District and within the jurisdiction of the state of Virginia, Lake Bacova Dam provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes.
Although specific details such as the year of completion, spillway type, and inspection history are not provided, the presence of the dam on Jerry Run adds to the diverse water infrastructure in the region. As an earth dam with a focus on recreation, Lake Bacova Dam represents a harmonious blend of human activity and environmental stewardship. For those interested in the intersection of water resources, climate, and regulatory oversight, this dam offers a fascinating case study in balancing recreational enjoyment with safety and compliance.
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 Lake Bacova Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson River Near Bacova | 25 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Mountain Grove | 35 cfs | → |
| Jackson River Bl Gathright Dam Nr Hot Spgs | 230 cfs | → |
| Back Creek At Sunrise | 16 cfs | → |
| Little Back Creek Near Sunrise | 5 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Sunrise | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Bacova Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Sherwood Road Greenbrier County
- Walton Tract Canoe Access Point
- Douthat State Park Road Bath County
- Jackson River Canoe Access Points
- Walter Robinson Canoe Access Point
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
Campgrounds
- Blowing Springs
- Blowing Springs Campground
- Hidden Valley Recreation Area
- Mcclintic Point
- Serenity
- Pocahontas Campground
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Segment A--State Route 39 At Blowing Springs Campground To Lake Moomaw
- Segment C--Southern Boundary Hidden Valley Tract To Mcclintic Bridge
- Segment B--Northern Boundary, Hidden Valley Tract To Southern Boundary Of Hidden Valley Tract
- Segment B--Pump Storage Lake To Blowing Springs Campground
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
Track Lake Bacova 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 Lake Bacova Dam
Where does the data for Lake Bacova 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 Lake Bacova Dam.