John W. Flanagan Dam and Reservoir
Encyclopedia
John W. Flannagan Dam and reservoir is located in the Cumberland Mountains
of Dickenson County, Virginia
.
, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1961, John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir is a part of the Big Sandy flood protection system. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed and supervised construction of the dam and now operates it for public benefits.
.
and Ohio River
s as a part of a larger flood control system. The dam has prevented millions of dollars of damage in excess of the $20 million it cost to build.
Restrooms are located at the Project Office, Below Dam Area, Junction Area, Cranesnest Area #1, and #3, Lower Twin Area, Spillway Area, and Pound River Area. During the first four full weekends in October Flannagan has whitewater releases to achieve winter pool. From the dam, the first two miles (3 km) are class II rapids which progresses downstream reaching Class V + rapids. Some of the most challenging rapids in the eastern U.S. can be found while traveling through Breaks Interstate Park with names like 20 Stitches, Broken Nose and Triple Drop.
John W. Flannagan Boat Dock (marina) is located at the Junction Area and provides visitors with docking facilities, a gas station, fishing supplies, and a snack bar.
Cumberland Mountains
The Cumberland Mountains are a mountain range in the southeastern section of the Appalachian Mountains. They are located in southern West Virginia, western Virginia, eastern edges of Kentucky, and eastern middle Tennessee, including the Crab Orchard Mountains...
of Dickenson County, Virginia
Dickenson County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,395 people, 6,732 households, and 4,887 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile . There were 7,684 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
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History
Authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1938Flood Control Act of 1938
The Flood Control Act of 1938 was an Act of the United States Congress signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that authorized civil engineering projects such as dams, levees, dikes, and other flood control measures through the United States Army Corps of Engineers and other Federal...
, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1961, John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir is a part of the Big Sandy flood protection system. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed and supervised construction of the dam and now operates it for public benefits.
Construction
Construction of the dam, spillway, and outlet works began in 1960, and was completed by 1964. The dam is 250 feet (76.2 m) high and 916 feet (279.2 m) long. The earth-filled dam is constructed of rock with a central clay core, which prevents water from passing through the dam. A 1145 acres (4.6 km²) lake is formed behind the dam with almost 40 miles (64.4 km) of shoreline. South of the dam is the emergency spillway. The spillway contains six 42 feet (12.8 m) by 38 feet (11.6 m) gates used to control high water and prevent the lake from flowing over the top of the dam. The outlet works consist of an intake structure and an outlet tunnel. The 262 feet (79.9 m)-high intake structure is located north of the dam, and contains 8 feet (2.4 m) by 4 feet (1.2 m) gates which control the amount of water released into Pound RiverPound River
Category: Rivers of Virginia Running through Part of Wise County Virginia, and through Dickenson County Virginia, The Pound River is a tributary of the Russell Fork in the U.S. state of Virginia. Via the Russell Fork, the Levisa Fork, the Big Sandy River, and the Ohio River, it is part of the...
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General information
Built primarily for flood control, the lake surface is kept at an elevation of 1396 feet (425.5 m) above sea level for recreation during the summer. During the fall, the lake is lowered 16 feet (4.9 m) to hold additional water from winter and spring runoff. When flooding occurs, the gates in the intake structure are closed to the minimum level. The water, which runs off from the 221 square miles (572.4 km²) drainage basin behind the dam, is stored in the reservoir to protect life and property downstream. When the danger of downstream flooding has passed, the intake structure gates are opened to lower the reservoir. Opening the gates is coordinated with other dams on the Big Sandy RiverBig Sandy
There are six communities in the United States named Big Sandy*Big Sandy, Montana in Chouteau County*Big Sandy, Nebraska in Thayer County, Nebraska*Big Sandy, Tennessee in Benton County*Big Sandy, Texas in Upshur County...
and Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
s as a part of a larger flood control system. The dam has prevented millions of dollars of damage in excess of the $20 million it cost to build.
Restrooms are located at the Project Office, Below Dam Area, Junction Area, Cranesnest Area #1, and #3, Lower Twin Area, Spillway Area, and Pound River Area. During the first four full weekends in October Flannagan has whitewater releases to achieve winter pool. From the dam, the first two miles (3 km) are class II rapids which progresses downstream reaching Class V + rapids. Some of the most challenging rapids in the eastern U.S. can be found while traveling through Breaks Interstate Park with names like 20 Stitches, Broken Nose and Triple Drop.
John W. Flannagan Boat Dock (marina) is located at the Junction Area and provides visitors with docking facilities, a gas station, fishing supplies, and a snack bar.