Melody Lake Dam dam
Melody Lake Dam
Located in Franklin, Virginia, Melody Lake Dam is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 41 feet with a length of 215 feet, this earthen dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet of water. The dam is situated on the Crooked Branch river and is under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Despite being classified as "Undetermined" in terms of hazard potential and "Not Rated" in condition assessment, Melody Lake Dam has not undergone any recent modifications or inspections since September 2002. The emergency action plan status and risk assessment for the dam are also unclear, raising concerns about its current state of readiness in case of an unforeseen event. Nevertheless, the dam continues to provide a scenic and popular spot for recreational activities in the area.
With its picturesque location and important role in providing recreational opportunities, Melody Lake Dam stands as a key feature in the water resource infrastructure of Franklin, Virginia. However, there is a need for updated inspections, emergency preparedness plans, and risk assessments to ensure the safety and longevity of this dam for both visitors and the surrounding environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Melody Lake Dam offers a case study in the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring to safeguard against potential risks and ensure sustainable water management practices.
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 Melody Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 36 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 13 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 77 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 167 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Glenvar | 58 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Lafayette | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Melody Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Reservoir Road Hollins
- State Park Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Roanoke Mtn
- Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Goose Dam
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Pig Farm Campsite
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
More reservoirs
Track Melody 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 Melody Lake Dam
Where does the data for Melody 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 Melody Lake Dam.