Lake Montclair Dam dam
Lake Montclair Dam
Lake Montclair Dam, also known as Country Club Lake, is a private dam located in Prince William, Virginia, along the Powells Creek. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at an impressive height of 74 feet and spans 650 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 5,938 acre-feet, the dam primarily serves recreational purposes, providing a tranquil setting for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of July 2021, Lake Montclair Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location and structural characteristics. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the dam's integrity and safety, with the last inspection taking place in July 2021. While emergency action plans are in place, there is room for improvement in meeting guidelines and enhancing risk management measures. The dam's proximity to residential areas underscores the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and preparedness for potential emergencies.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate change will find Lake Montclair Dam a fascinating subject for study and conservation efforts. Its significance lies not only in its recreational value but also in the need to address potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. As a privately owned structure with state regulation and oversight, the dam serves as a vital reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Lake Montclair Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Long Branch Near Annandale | 52 cfs | → |
| Accotink Creek Near Annandale | 411 cfs | → |
| Cedar Run Near Catlett | 5 cfs | → |
| Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Montclair Dam.
Boat launches
- Forest Hill Road Lake Ridge
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Doves Trail Prince William County
- Sinclair Lane Prince William County
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp Charles County
- Ludgate Drive Mount Vernon
Campgrounds
- Prince William Forest Rv Campground
- Cabin Camp 1
- Cabin Camp 4 - Pleasant Historic District
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
- Campground 3
- Oak Ridge Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lake Montclair 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 Lake Montclair Dam
Where does the data for Lake Montclair 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 Lake Montclair Dam.