Philpott Lake
Philpott Dam, Philpott Lake and Philpott Park
Henry County Virginia
Congress authorized construction of Philpott Lake in 1944 for
flood control and hydroelectric power generation as one of a series
of reservoirs designed to control floods in the Roanoke River Basin.
Construction by the Corps of Engineers began in 1948 and flood
control was provided in 1951. The project went into full operation in
1953 when all three generators in the powerhouse were completed.
Philpott Lake takes its name from the nearby downstream village in
Henry County, Virginia. The water and surrounding lands, which
constitute the overall project, cover 10,000 acres in Franklin, Henry
and Patrick counties of Virginia. The project adjoins Fairy Stone
State Park which is so named because of the lucky or fairy stones
which are found in the region.
The man-made lake is 15 miles long with a shoreline of 100 miles,
nestled in the rugged foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its clear
waters are within sight of the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The dam is located on the Smith River some 12 miles northwest of
Martinsville, Virginia. The Resource Management Centers is 3 miles
northwest of Bassett, Virginia, via Routes 57 and 904. The dam is 920
feet in length and the maximum height is 220 feet with the base width
of spillway section of 174 feet. Top of the flood control pool is 5,060
acres with the top of the power pool 2,880 acres.
The bottom portion or inactive storage of the lake remains full at all
times in order to provide the minimum water pressure necessary to
operate the power plant. The middle portion or power storage is used
to regulate stream flow for the production of electrical energy. The top
of the flood storage portion remains empty except for the storage of flood waters.
Water passes the dam by one of four means as follows:
- Most of the water goes through the power units to generate electricity;
- Extremely large flood discharges are passed over the spillway;
- Excess water of small floods is discharged through sluices located near the bottom of the dam;
- When the powerhouse is not in operation, sufficient water to increase low flows
downstream is passed through two small conduits or pipes located in the spillway section of the dam.
A stilling basin at the foot of the spillway section dissipates the
destructive energy of the water and prevents erosion of the foundation
of the dam. The training walls at each end of the spillway direct the
flow of water into the river channel below the dam.
The powerhouse has three power units, two with the capacity of 6,700 kw
and one with the capacity of 600 kw. Total capacity is 14,000 kw.
Average yearly output is 25,400,000 kwh.
Philpott Park is located near the dam 3 miles northwest of Bassett, Virginia
via routes 57 and 904. It is one of a total of 8 parks on the lake accessible
by automobile. There are five camp areas accessible only by boat.
Philpott Park has a picnic area with shelter, overlook platform, playground
facilities, hiking and interpretive trails, comfort station, drinking water and
two boat launching ramps with loading docks, covered fishing dock and foot trail system.
The lake is open year round. Most facilities are available on a first come,
first served basis. Reservations are accepted for use of the Group Use
Area and certain picnic shelters for a minimal fee. Boating, fishing,
water skiing, swimming, and skin diving are popular aquatic sports.
Camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and hunting are enjoyed on land.
Picture Tour
MMIII
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