Robertson Dam dam
Robertson Dam
Robertson Dam, also known as Lake Robertson, is a state-owned earth dam located in Lexington, Virginia. Managed by the Virginia Department of Games and Inland Fisheries, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 26 acres and a storage capacity of 678 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 52 feet and spans a length of 400 feet, with a hazard potential categorized as high and a fair condition assessment as of February 2021.
Situated on an unnamed tributary to Colliers Creek, Robertson Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. With its proximity to the Norfolk District, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in July 2015. Despite lacking information on its construction year, the dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of one year to ensure its structural integrity and safety measures. Water resource and climate enthusiasts alike can appreciate Robertson Dam for its role in providing recreational opportunities while upholding state-regulated standards for dam management.
With Congressman Ben Cline representing the area, Robertson Dam stands as a vital component of water resource management in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Its importance lies not only in providing recreational benefits to the community but also in its role in flood control and water storage. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Robertson Dam showcases the state's commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of its water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Robertson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cowpasture River Near Clifton Forge | 128 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 10 cfs | → |
| James River At Lick Run | 481 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 110 cfs | → |
| Maury River At Rockbridge Baths | 56 cfs | → |
| Calfpasture River Above Mill Creek At Goshen | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robertson Dam.
Boat launches
- Walter Robinson Canoe Access Point
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
- Walton Tract Canoe Access Point
- Douthat State Park Road Bath County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
- Segment C--Southern Boundary Hidden Valley Tract To Mcclintic Bridge
Track Robertson 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 Robertson Dam
Where does the data for Robertson 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 Robertson Dam.