West Dam dam
West Dam
West Dam, also known as Skyland Lakes, is a private recreational facility located in Carroll, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 24 feet and offers a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. While its hazard potential is currently undetermined and its condition is not rated, the dam is regularly inspected and meets state regulatory requirements for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Situated within the Wilmington District of Virginia, West Dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities such as boating and fishing. Despite its modest storage capacity and limited structural information, the dam remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the natural beauty of the Carroll region. With its serene surroundings and potential for future enhancements, West Dam offers a promising opportunity for sustainable recreation and conservation efforts in the area.
Although West Dam's risk assessment and emergency preparedness details are currently unavailable, the private ownership and state jurisdiction ensure that the dam is subject to regular monitoring and oversight. As a key feature in the local landscape, West Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource management and climate resilience, highlighting the importance of balancing recreational needs with safety and environmental considerations. For those interested in exploring the intersection of water resources and climate change adaptation, West Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving dynamics of dam infrastructure in the context of shifting environmental conditions.
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 West Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 17 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 459 cfs | → |
| New River At Ivanhoe | 875 cfs | → |
| Ararat River At Ararat | 98 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| New River At Allisonia | 640 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About West Dam
Where does the data for West 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 below 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.
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.