Carvin Cove Dam dam
Carvin Cove Dam
Carvin Cove Dam, located in Botetourt, Virginia, is a vital water resource infrastructure managed by the local government. With a primary purpose of water supply, the dam stands at an impressive height of 85 feet and has a storage capacity of 23,000 acre-feet, serving as a crucial source of water for the surrounding area. The dam also offers recreational opportunities and covers a surface area of 568.8 acres, providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts.
The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of the latest inspection in November 2020. With its location along Carvins Creek, the dam plays a significant role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. As a masonry structure completed in an unspecified year, Carvin Cove Dam exemplifies the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure for water supply and environmental stewardship.
In the event of emergencies, there are established protocols in place, although details regarding the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and risk assessment measures are currently unspecified. With its strategic location and essential role in water management, Carvin Cove Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and community safety in Virginia. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the complexities of infrastructure maintenance and the importance of sustainable water supply practices 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 Carvin Cove Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tinker Creek Near Daleville | 2 cfs | → |
| Catawba Creek Near Catawba | 3 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 77 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 167 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 13 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Glenvar | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carvin Cove Dam.
Boat launches
- Reservoir Road Hollins
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Pig Farm Campsite
- Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Roanoke Mtn
- Fenwick Mines Campground
- Craig Creek Campground
- The Pines Campground
Paddle runs
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
Track Carvin Cove 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 Carvin Cove Dam
Where does the data for Carvin Cove 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 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 Carvin Cove Dam.