Orrock Lane Dam dam
Orrock Lane Dam
Orrock Lane Dam, located in Caroline, Virginia, is a vital structure managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This earth dam, standing at a hydraulic height of 15 feet, serves as a key component in regulating the tributary Matta River's water flow. With a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Although the hazard potential of Orrock Lane Dam is currently listed as undetermined and its condition has not been rated, the dam is regularly inspected by state authorities. With state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, the dam ensures the safety and security of the surrounding community. As a climate and water resource enthusiast, monitoring the updates and risk management measures for Orrock Lane Dam can provide valuable insights into the resilience of the infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
For those passionate about water resource management and climate resilience, Orrock Lane Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and regulatory oversight. With its strategic location in Caroline, Virginia, and its role in regulating the tributary Matta River, this dam represents a critical piece of infrastructure in the region. By staying informed about its condition assessments, emergency action plans, and risk management measures, enthusiasts can gain a deeper understanding of how water resources are managed and protected in the face of potential 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 Orrock Lane Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 4 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 13 cfs | → |
| North Anna River Near Partlow | 48 cfs | → |
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 228 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Doswell | 8 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Orrock Lane Dam.
Boat launches
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- Mountain Road Hanover County
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Lake Anna State Park
- Christopher Run Campground
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
Fishing spots
Track Orrock Lane 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 Orrock Lane Dam
Where does the data for Orrock Lane 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 Orrock Lane Dam.