Keokee Dam dam
Keokee Dam
Keokee Dam, located in Lee, Virginia, along the North Fork Powell River, is a state-owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Managed by the Virginia Department of Games and Inland Fisheries, this dam stands at a height of 50 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,130 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1,950 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 330 feet and covers a surface area of 108.6 acres, serving as a popular spot for outdoor activities and water sports enthusiasts.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of April 2014, Keokee Dam has been classified with a high hazard potential, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to oversee its operation. Additionally, the dam has an emergency action plan (EAP) in place, last revised in July 2014, to address any potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities in case of emergencies.
With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, Keokee Dam serves as a vital water resource for the local area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of proper dam management and maintenance is crucial to preserving the natural beauty and ensuring the safety of all who enjoy the benefits of this scenic destination.
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 Keokee Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Powell River At Big Stone Gap | 107 cfs | → |
| Poor Fork At Cumberland | 59 cfs | → |
| Clinch River At Speers Ferry | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Powell River Near Jonesville | 241 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Near Looneys Gap | 1,750 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Keokee Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
- Big Cherry Road Wise County
- 2nd Avenue Scott County
- Sr 65 Dungannon
- Kingsport Greenbelt Kingsport
- Long Bend Road, Surgoinsville
Campgrounds
- Portal 31 Rv Park
- Natural Tunnel State Park
- Flag Rock Recreation Area
- High Knob
- High Knob Recreation Area
- Bark Camp
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
Track Keokee 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 Keokee Dam
Where does the data for Keokee 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 Keokee Dam.