Spring Lake Dam dam
Spring Lake Dam
Spring Lake Dam, located in Caroline, Virginia, is a state-regulated structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a height of 31 feet, controls a tributary of Lake Holiday and has a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is currently listed as "Undetermined" and its condition assessment is "Not Rated," it is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Although the primary purpose of Spring Lake Dam is not specified, its presence underscores the importance of water resource management in the region. With a Federal ID of VA033087, the dam is situated in a picturesque setting in Caroline County and falls under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore District. Despite lacking detailed information on its construction date, storage capacity, and other key metrics, the dam's role in regulating water flow and storage in the area is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spring Lake Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and environmental stewardship. As part of a network of structures overseen by state and federal agencies, the dam plays a vital role in managing water levels, mitigating flood risks, and ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in the region. While specific details about its design, age, and maintenance history may be limited, the dam's presence highlights the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with the preservation of natural ecosystems in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Spring Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 26 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 235 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 5 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 4 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Beulahville | 47 cfs | → |
| Zekiah Swamp Run Near Newtown | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Charles County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Smallwood State Park Youth Group Campsite
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Smallwood State Park
- Campground 3
- Campsite #6
Fishing spots
Track Spring 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 Spring Lake Dam
Where does the data for Spring 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 Spring Lake Dam.