Roanoke Creek Dam # 49a

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 80% of dams nationwide.

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