Lake Barcroft, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Barcroft, Virginia
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View over Lake Barcroft from Beach 4
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Location of Lake Barcroft in Fairfax County, Virginia
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 Lake Barcroft, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Lake Barcroft, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Lake Barcroft, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fairfax |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.7 sq mi (6.9 km2) |
| • Land | 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 262 ft (80 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,770 |
| • Density | 3,918/sq mi (1,512.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 51-43352 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1492515 |
Lake Barcroft is a special area in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. It is called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a place with people living there that the government counts for official records. In 2020, about 9,770 people lived here.
Lake Barcroft is also the name of a private lake. This lake is part of the Cameron Run Watershed. The lake was named after Dr. John W. Barcroft. He owned a mill on a nearby stream called Holmes Run in the mid-1800s.
Contents
History of Lake Barcroft
The story of Lake Barcroft began in 1913. The Alexandria Water Company started building a dam on Holmes Run. Their goal was to create a reservoir, which is like a big storage tank for water. This water would be used for drinking in the city of Alexandria.
Building the Dam and Expanding the Lake
The dam was finished in 1915. It created a large reservoir that could hold 620 million gallons of water. Later, in 1942, the company added 24 gates to the top of the dam. This made the dam five feet taller. Because of this, the reservoir could hold even more water, up to 800 million gallons!
From Water Supply to Community Living
In 1949, Alexandria started getting its drinking water from a different place, the Occoquan Reservoir. So, the Lake Barcroft reservoir was no longer needed for drinking water.
A year later, in 1950, a man named Colonel Joseph Barger and his partners bought the lake, the dam, and about 680 acres of land around it. They paid $1 million for it. Soon after, they started turning the land into a neighborhood where people could live.
Forming the Community and Taking Ownership
As more people moved in during the early 1950s, they formed a group called the Lake Barcroft Community Association (LABARCA). This group helped neighbors work together.
Then, in 1970, the people living in the community decided to buy the lake, the dam, and all the shared land themselves. They paid $300,000 for it. They then created a new group called the Barcroft Lake Management Association (BARLAMA) to take care of the lake.
Hurricane Agnes and Dam Repairs
In 1972, a big storm called Hurricane Agnes hit the area. It rained so much that the lake level rose three feet above the top of the dam! This caused the water to overflow and wash away part of the dam's western side, which was made of earth. The slow washing away of the earth actually helped. It prevented a sudden, huge flood downstream that would have happened if the whole dam broke at once.
To fix the dam and the lake, the residents voted to create a special group called the Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District (LBWID). This group could collect taxes to pay for the repairs. The LBWID is run by three local residents. The lake was empty for two years in the 1970s while the dam was rebuilt. A new, automatic gate was added to the dam, making it safer.
Uniting for the Future
In 1992, the two community groups, LABARCA and BARLAMA, joined together. They formed one private group called the Lake Barcroft Association (LBA). This group now manages the lake and common areas.
Lake Barcroft is also a great place for fishing. You can find Largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, and even a rare kind of freshwater jellyfish that doesn't sting! Ospreys, which are birds that catch fish, also live around the lake.
Geography of Lake Barcroft
Lake Barcroft is located in the eastern part of Fairfax County. It's near several other towns. To the northeast is Seven Corners. To the east is Bailey's Crossroads. To the south is Lincolnia. To the southwest is Annandale. And to the northwest is West Falls Church.
The center of Washington, D.C. is about 9 miles northeast of Lake Barcroft. The borders of the Lake Barcroft area follow several main roads. These include Sleepy Hollow Road to the west, Leesburg Pike to the north, and Columbia Pike to the south.
The total area of Lake Barcroft is about 6.9 square kilometers. Most of this area, about 6.3 square kilometers, is land. The remaining 0.6 square kilometers, or about 8.34%, is water.
The local high school for students in this area is Justice High School.
It's important to know that the official "Lake Barcroft" area (the CDP) is a bit larger than the area managed by the Lake Barcroft Association (LBA). The CDP includes some apartment buildings, condos, and businesses. The LBA, however, mainly covers single-family homes around the lake.
Living in Lake Barcroft
Lake Barcroft is a diverse community. In 2020, the total population was 9,770 people. Many different backgrounds and cultures make up the community.
Managing the Lake and Community Life
Lake Barcroft is privately owned. This means it is not owned by the government. Instead, it is managed by the Lake Barcroft Association (LBA). This is the homeowners' association we talked about earlier.
People who own property on or very close to the lake have special rights. They can use the lake for fun activities. For those who don't own land right on the water, there are five private sandy beaches. There is also a community park owned by the LBA. These spots give everyone in the association access to the water. All the shared areas are open to people living within the association's boundaries and their approved guests. During the summer, the Lake Barcroft Association hires lifeguards to keep the beaches safe.
The residents often organize fun events on the water. A very popular event is the Independence Day fireworks show every July 4th. The fireworks are launched from one of the beaches. Residents gather on the water in their electric or paddle boats to watch the show. The Labor Day games are also held at two of the beaches. These games mark the end of the summer swimming season.
To keep the lake clean and quiet, boats with gasoline engines are not allowed. Only the lifeguards can use gas-powered motorboats. Most residents use small sailboats, canoes, or boats that run on electricity.
Ecology of Lake Barcroft
Lake Barcroft is home to many kinds of freshwater animals.
Fish and Other Water Animals
Largemouth bass were put into the lake many years ago. Now, they have enough babies to keep their population strong. You can also find many catfish and bluegill in the lake. If you look closely near the edges of the lake, you might see Bryozoa. These are tiny animals that live in colonies.
Other animals that live near the water are also common. These include muskrats, ducks, Canada geese, and kingfishers.
Keeping the Lake Healthy
Lake Barcroft is part of the Cameron Run Watershed. This means that water from nearby suburban areas of Fairfax County flows into the lake. This water is called runoff. Sometimes, this runoff can cause too many tiny plants called algal blooms to grow in the lake.
Scientists keep an eye on the lake's water to make sure it is healthy. They check the tiny living things in the water. The lake is considered safe for both fishing and swimming.
