Lake Burnt Mills Dam dam
Lake Burnt Mills Dam
Lake Burnt Mills Dam, located in Suffolk, Virginia, is a crucial structure owned by a Public Utility for water supply purposes. This earth dam, standing at a height of 46.5 feet, impounds the Western Branch of Nansemond River, creating the scenic Western Branch Reservoir. With a storage capacity of 18,500 acre-feet and a surface area of 600 acres, the dam serves as a vital source of water for the region.
Managed and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam has a spillway width of 57 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 15,665 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety and functionality of the structure. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to maintain its integrity. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can appreciate the importance of Lake Burnt Mills Dam in providing both water supply and recreational opportunities while also managing the associated risks in a sustainable manner.
Overall, Lake Burnt Mills Dam stands as a significant infrastructure asset in Virginia, serving the community of Suffolk and beyond with essential water resources. Its role in water supply, recreation, and environmental management underscores the importance of responsible dam operation and maintenance in the face of changing climate conditions. As enthusiasts in water resource management and climate resilience, it is crucial to monitor and support initiatives that ensure the continued safety and sustainability of structures like Lake Burnt Mills Dam for the benefit of present and 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 Lake Burnt Mills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 4 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 132 cfs | → |
| Pasquotank River Near South Mills | 8 cfs | → |
| Potecasi Creek Near Union | 4 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Stony Creek | 63 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Burnt Mills Dam.
Boat launches
- Archery Range Trail Chuckatuck
- Field Trail Suffolk
- Horseback Trail Chuckatuck
- Bob House Parkway Suffolk
Track Lake Burnt Mills 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 Burnt Mills Dam
Where does the data for Lake Burnt Mills 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 Burnt Mills Dam.