Project Scope
The Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw Project provides flood protection of industrial, commerical and residential properties along the Jackson and James rivers with immediate impact on Covington, Va.
Authorization
Congress authorized construction of the dam and reservoir in the Flood Control Act of 1946.
Background
The dam is a rolled rock fill embankment with a compacted earthen clay core, outlet works and an emergency spillway located at the right abutment. The embankment is 1,310 feet long with a height of 257 feet. The width is 32 feet at the top of the dam with a maximum width of 1000 feet at its base. The construction of the dam began in 1974 and was completed in 1979. Impoundment of water began in December 1979 and was completed in April 1982.
As part of the Norfolk District's comprehensive dam safety program, Gathright Dam has been inspected and monitored closely since it became operational in 1979. The dam's instrumentation monitors seepage, piezometric levels (internal seepage pressure) and horizontal and vertical movements of the dam crest. The dam is regularly inspected by facility staff as well as engineers from the Norfolk District. Facility staff inspects the dam daily during normal operating conditions and more frequently during high pool levels. Norfolk District engineers inspect the dam at least annually, with more intensive team inspections every five years through the USACE Dam Safety Program.
The pool of record elevation is 1598.4 reached Jan. 20, 1996. Normal pool conservation for the lake is 1582 feet above sea level.