Roanoke Creek Dam # 49a is an earth dam located in Charlotte County, Virginia, built in 1962. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 502 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Roanoke Creek Dam # 49a
The primary purpose of Roanoke Creek Dam # 49a 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 Little Horsepen Creek - Vahu6 Ru85 Horsepen Creek near Keysville.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 502 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,130 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 07/21/2020.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Charlotte |
| Nearest City | Keysville |
| River/Stream | Little Horsepen Creek - Vahu6 Ru85 Horsepen Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.91380, -78.59960 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 502 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,130 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,130 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 131 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Southside Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/21/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA037007 |
| Federal ID | VA037007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |