Lawless Dam dam
Lawless Dam
Lawless Dam, located in Franklin, Virginia, is a private-owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Standing at a height of 27 feet, with a length of 220 feet, and a storage capacity of 29.38 acre-feet, this earth-type dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Despite its undetermined hazard potential and unrated condition assessment, Lawless Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and reliability.
With its primary purpose and specific design details undisclosed, Lawless Dam remains a mysterious yet significant feature in the water infrastructure of Virginia. Situated within the Wilmington District, the dam serves as a vital component for managing water resources in the area, although its exact role in flood control, irrigation, or hydroelectric power generation is not specified. The presence of associated structures and emergency preparedness measures also remain unclear, adding to the intrigue surrounding this essential water management asset.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lawless Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. As a privately-owned structure with state oversight and inspection, the dam represents the complex interplay between public and private interests in safeguarding critical water infrastructure. With its location in Franklin, Virginia, and its potential impact on the surrounding environment, Lawless Dam offers a unique opportunity for further exploration and research into the intersection of water resources, climate resilience, and regulatory frameworks.
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 Lawless 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 | → |
| S F Roanoke River Near Shawsville | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawless Dam.
Boat launches
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- State Park Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Roanoke Mtn
- Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Goose Dam
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
- Ryans Branch - Philpott Lake
- Horseshoe Point - 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
Track Lawless 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 Lawless Dam
Where does the data for Lawless 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 Lawless Dam.