TROUTVILLE, Va. – A long, controversial dam is seeing renewed efforts at revitalization. The dam at Rainbow Forest Lake in Troutville has been a staple of the community, with its construction being finished back in 1965.
The dam has been out of compliance since 2008. It’s prompted concerns that it could fail during past heavy rainstorms, including the ones back in February.
“The dam is currently in a stable condition,” said Mike Wilson, director of engineering at Hurt & Proffitt’s Lynchburg branch. “The state just requires the emergency spillway and the dam be sized to protect from a probable maximum flood.”
The dam’s failure of the probable maximum flood test is what prompted it to only be able to operate under a conditional operational certificate. The probable maximum flood test, however, is a test of the most severe levels of flooding, the likes of which the area hasn’t ever seen.
This isn’t the first time the dam has come under scrutiny. The lake behind the dam was forced to be drained back in 2011, also because of issues with the dam.
The community gathered at the Rainbow Lake Community Center on June 12 to discuss the future plans for the dam and dispel any rumors surrounding it.
Three potential repair solutions were discussed at the meeting: expanding the emergency spillway, removing the dam and converting the road to a bridge, or implementing overtopping protection. Wilson says estimated cost for repairs would reach approximately $4 million.
Residents living downstream have already experienced the dam’s impact. Chris Saunders, a local homeowner, faced severe flooding issues during February’s heavy rains, with water nearly reaching his house.
“We’ve noticed over the years even when it’s not raining, we’ll get a lot of water increase just from them opening the dam,” Saunders said. The flooding forced him to spend thousands on a new septic system.
“It took us from right at the top of the banks to right at the back of our house in a matter of minutes,” he added, describing the rapid water rise during a recent release.
The dam’s current design struggles to manage significant water volumes during major storms, leading to overflow issues that affect neighboring properties. Officials continue to evaluate the repair options while residents await a final decision on the structure’s future. Officials says this whole process could take years.
