Roanoke Creek Dam # 5b
Roanoke Creek Dam # 5b is an earth dam located in Charlotte County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Roanoke Creek Dam # 5b
The primary purpose of Roanoke Creek Dam # 5b is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Southside Soil And Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the West Br.of Wards Fork.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 549 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,682 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/19/2019.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Virginia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Charlotte |
| River/Stream | West Br.of Wards Fork |
| Coordinates | 37.14480, -78.66700 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 549 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,682 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,682 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 112 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Southside Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/19/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA037005 |
| Federal ID | VA037005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |