Charter Lake dam
Charter Lake
Charter Lake, also known as Kings Charter Lake, is a private water resource located in Hanover, Virginia. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dammed reservoir on Totopotomy Creek serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for water enthusiasts in the area. With a dam height of 17 feet and a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, Charter Lake covers a surface area of 8 acres and has a normal storage level of 40 acre-feet.
Despite being categorized as having a significant hazard potential, Charter Lake's condition assessment has not been rated since its last inspection in 2009. The emergency action plan for the lake was last revised in 2005, and it meets regulatory guidelines for state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the risk assessment and management measures for the lake are not specified in the available data, its association with the Norfolk District of the US Army Corps of Engineers indicates a level of federal oversight and potential support for future maintenance and improvement projects.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region, Charter Lake offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made structures and natural ecosystems. Its tranquil waters and proximity to Totopotomy Creek provide a valuable outdoor space for recreation and wildlife observation. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and sustainability of Charter Lake, its role in the local landscape as a reservoir and recreational haven remains an important aspect of the community's water resource 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 Charter Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pamunkey River Near Hanover | 86 cfs | → |
| Totopotomoy Creek Near Studley | 2 cfs | → |
| South Anna River Near Ashland | 34 cfs | → |
| James River Near Richmond | 1,230 cfs | → |
| North Anna River At Hart Corner Near Doswell | 55 cfs | → |
| James River And Kanawha Canal Near Richmond | 137 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Charter Lake.
Track Charter Lake 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 Charter Lake
Where does the data for Charter Lake 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 Significant 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 Charter Lake.