Blalock Dam dam
Blalock Dam
Blalock Dam, located in Mecklenburg, Virginia, is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation, irrigation, and water supply. Standing at a height of 24 feet, the dam plays a vital role in the management of the Roanoke River, providing a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. While the dam's hazard potential is currently classified as "undetermined" and its condition assessment is marked as "not rated," the state regulatory agency, Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensures that the dam is regularly inspected and maintained to meet safety standards.
With its strategic location on the Roanoke River, Blalock Dam not only contributes to the local water resource management but also offers recreational opportunities for visitors. Surrounded by scenic landscapes, the dam provides a serene environment for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. Although details about the dam's construction year and specific dimensions are not provided in the data, its significance in supporting various water-related functions in the region is evident. As a key infrastructure under state jurisdiction, Blalock Dam highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management in Virginia.
Despite some information gaps regarding its history and physical characteristics, Blalock Dam stands as a crucial element in the water infrastructure of Mecklenburg, Virginia. As a privately owned structure regulated by the state, the dam plays a critical role in ensuring water supply, irrigation, and recreational opportunities for the local community. With ongoing inspections and enforcement measures in place, Blalock Dam represents a commitment to maintaining the safety and functionality of water resources in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam serves as a fascinating example of the intersection between human engineering and natural ecosystems in the management of water resources.
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 Blalock Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Creek Near Boydton | 0 cfs | → |
| Meherrin River Near Lawrenceville | 165 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Mayo Cr Nr Bethel Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Tar River Near Tar River | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blalock Dam.
Boat launches
- Nature Trail Mecklenburg County
- Mays Chapel Road Mecklenburg County
- Cuscowilla Lane Mecklenburg County
- Kimball Point Road Warren County
- 167 County Line Park Rd, Manson, Nc 27553
- River Ridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Blalock 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 Blalock Dam
Where does the data for Blalock 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 Blalock Dam.