Gathright Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gathright Dam |
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Gathright Dam
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 Location of Gathright Dam in Virginia
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| Location | Alleghany County, near Kincaid, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°58′21″N 79°57′51″W / 37.9726054°N 79.9641174°W |
| Construction began | 1974 |
| Opening date | 1979 |
| Operator(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment, rock-fill |
| Impounds | Jackson River |
| Height | 257 feet (78 m) |
| Length | 1,310 feet (400 m) |
| Width (base) | 32 feet (9.8 m) (crest) 1,000 feet (300 m) (base) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Moomaw |
| Total capacity | Normal: 40 billion US gallons (150,000,000 m3) Max: 137 billion US gallons (520,000,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 345 square miles (890 km2) |
| Surface area | 3.9 square miles (10 km2) |
The Gathright Dam is a large structure built from earth and rocks. It stands on the Jackson River in Alleghany County, Virginia. This dam is about 257 feet (78 m) tall and 1,310 feet (400 m) long. It creates a big lake called Lake Moomaw.
The main jobs of the Gathright Dam are to control floods and offer fun outdoor activities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the dam. It helps protect homes and businesses downstream from too much water.
The dam has a special part called an intake tower. This tower has nine openings that let water out from different depths of the lake. This helps control the water's temperature and how fast it flows downstream. This is important for the environment and for fish living in the river.
Building the Dam: A Look Back
The idea for Gathright Dam was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1946. This was part of a plan to protect areas along the Jackson and James Rivers from floods. The town of Covington, Virginia, was especially in need of this protection.
A local businessman named Benjamin Cline Moomaw, Jr. was very important in getting the dam approved. Because of his efforts, the lake is named Lake Moomaw. The dam itself is named after Thomas Gathright, who owned the land that became the lake.
Building the dam started in 1974. It was finished in 1979. Lake Moomaw began to fill with water in December 1979 and was completely full by April 1982. A small town called Greenwood had to be moved when the lake filled up.
In 1996, the lake reached its highest level ever. It was 1,598 ft (487 m) above sea-level. Some groups were worried that building the dam would harm the beautiful Kincade Gorge and important historical sites.
Keeping the Dam Safe
Engineers regularly check the Gathright Dam to make sure it is safe. In 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) looked closely at the dam. They found some areas they wanted to watch more carefully. These included possible water seeping through the dam's base and water flow near limestone under the spillway.
To keep everyone safe, the USACE took steps to reduce any risks. They started watching the dam more often. They also updated their emergency plans. For a time, they lowered the water level in Lake Moomaw. This was a safety measure.
By late 2010, the lake's water level was brought back to its normal height. The USACE continues to check the dam's safety. They work with local and state officials to ensure the dam remains secure for everyone.
