Lake Accotink Dam dam
Lake Accotink Dam
Lake Accotink Dam, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is a vital structure regulating water flow along the picturesque Accotink Creek. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 1065 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 2963 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is recreation, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor activities in the region.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of October 2020, Lake Accotink Dam poses a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. With a history dating back to an unspecified completion year, this dam has become a focal point for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates alike. As the dam overlooks Accotink Creek, its role in water management and environmental protection cannot be understated.
Gerald E. Connolly, the Democratic representative for the area, plays a key role in overseeing the dam's operations and ensuring compliance with state regulations. As one of the few earth dams in the region, Lake Accotink Dam serves as a symbol of resilience and sustainable water management practices. Its impact on the surrounding ecosystem and recreational opportunities makes it a significant landmark for both locals and visitors alike.
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 Accotink Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 3 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 1 cfs | → |
| Cameron Run At Alexandria | 6 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Run At Alexandria | 3 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Accotink Dam.
Boat launches
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- Ludgate Drive Mount Vernon
- Wayne F Anderson Bikeway Alexandria
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
- Gravelly Point Boat Ramp
- Wharf Road Accokeek
Campgrounds
- Burke Lake Park
- Fort Belvoir Travel And Rv Camp
- Pohick Bay Regional Park
- Marsden Tract Campground
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite
- Lake Fairfax
Track Lake Accotink 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 Accotink Dam
Where does the data for Lake Accotink 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 Lake Accotink Dam.