Laurel Creek Dam dam
Laurel Creek Dam
Laurel Creek Dam, also known as Lost Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Grayson, Virginia. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and serves a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 24 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 124 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 10.5 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment was deemed unsatisfactory during its last inspection in March 2019.
Situated on Laurel Creek, this earth dam offers a tranquil recreational spot while also posing challenges in terms of maintenance and safety. With state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, the dam's condition is closely monitored to ensure public safety. The dam's design and construction specifics, as well as any modifications over the years, remain undisclosed. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding and managing the risks associated with dams like Laurel Creek becomes crucial for sustainable water management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Laurel Creek Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure in Virginia. Its location, design, and regulatory oversight offer valuable insights into the complexities of managing water infrastructure for recreational purposes. As the dam continues to be monitored for safety and maintenance issues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate 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 Laurel Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S F Holston River At Riverside Nr Chilhowie | 50 cfs | → |
| M F Holston River At Seven Mile Ford | 120 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 459 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 86 cfs | → |
| New River At Ivanhoe | 875 cfs | → |
| N F Holston River Near Saltville | 146 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Creek 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 Laurel Creek Dam
Where does the data for Laurel Creek 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 Low 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.