Lake Holiday, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Holiday |
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 Lake Holiday
Location in Virginia
Lake Holiday
Location in the United States
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| Location | Frederick County, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°19′N 78°19′W / 39.31°N 78.32°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Isaacs Creek, Yeiders Run/Miller Run |
| Primary outflows | Isaacs Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Settlements | Cross Junction |
Lake Holiday is a large, man-made lake in Frederick County, Virginia, in the United States. It covers about 249 acres and is located northwest of Winchester. The lake was created by building a dam.
Water flows into Lake Holiday from Isaacs Creek and Yeiders Run/Miller Run. The water then flows out through Isaacs Creek, which eventually joins Back Creek and later the Potomac River. Many homes are built around Lake Holiday, forming a community known as the Lake Holiday census-designated place (CDP). In 2010, about 1,905 people lived there. The closest town is Cross Junction, which is about one mile away.
Lake Holiday is located near the border of West Virginia. It is about 14 miles from Winchester, Virginia, and 23 miles from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
How Lake Holiday Was Formed
The construction of the dam that created Lake Holiday began in the late 1960s. It was completed in early 1972. The lake took some time to fill with water.
One story says it took nearly 12 years for the lake to fill completely. However, another source suggests it filled much faster. In June 1972, a very strong storm called Hurricane Agnes hit the area. It brought a huge amount of rain, causing the lake to fill up in just a few days. For safety reasons, scuba diving is not allowed in the lake.
Spillway Improvements
A spillway is like a controlled overflow channel for a dam. A new spillway was built on Lake Holiday's dam. This was required by the US Army Corps of Engineers to meet new safety rules.
The project involved building a new bridge and changing the creek bed below the dam. The only other choice would have been to lower the lake's water level significantly. The new spillway was finished in June 2013. A special event was held on Memorial Day to celebrate the reopening of the road over the spillway.
Activities at Lake Holiday
Lake Holiday offers several fun activities for its residents. There is a private marina that members can use for their boats. Near the clubhouse, you can also find courts for playing tennis and basketball.
See also
In Spanish: Lake Holiday (Virginia) para niños
