- John Flannagan Dam
HISTORY
Authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1938 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 which also
includes:
North Fork of Pound Lake in Virginia
Fishtrap Lake near Pikeville, Kentucky
Dewey Lake near Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Paintsville Lake near Paintsville, Kentucky
The United States Army Corps of Engineers designed and supervised construction
of the dams, which began in 1960 and was completed by 1964. The Corps of
Engineers now operates the Flannagan for the public’s benefit. The
Dam provides flood protection and a clean and reliable supply of drinking
water for the residents of Dickenson and Buchanan Counties. The lake also
provides low-flow augmentation, fish & wildlife enhancement and recreation
for the residents of Dickenson County.
The Dam is named after the late Congressman John Williams Flannagan,
Jr. who served the people of the Ninth Virginia District from 1931 to 1949.
Mr. Flannagan never lost an opportunity to remind his audience that he came
from the highland of Southwest Virginia, the mountains he loved so well.
The Dam is dedicated in memory of his assistance in creating this flood
control project and many others in the Appalachian Highlands Region.
DAM AND OUTLET
Construction of the Dam, Spillway, and Outlet Works began in 1960 and
was completed by 1964. The Dam is 250 feet high and 916 feet long. The earth-filled
Dam was constructed of rock with a central clay core which prevents water
from passing through the Dam. A 1,145 acre lake is formed behind the Dam
with almost  40 miles of shoreline.
The emergency Spillway is south of the Dam. The Spillway contains six
42-foot by 38-foot gates which are used to control high water and prevent
the lake from flowing over its limits.
The Outlet Works consists of an intake structure and an outlet tunnel.
The 262-foot high intake structure is located north of the Dam. The Outlet
Works contains the 8-foot by 4-foot gates which control the amount of water
released into the Pound River.
The water passes through these gates and into the 867-foot long,
16-foot diameter outlet tunnel which is cut through the mountain.
On a daily basis, over 1 million gallons of water is taken from the lake
by the independent John W. Flannagan Water Authority. The water is then
treated and used by local water service authorities in the two counties
Flood Control and Augmentation
Flood Control
Built primarily for flood control, the lake surface is kept at an elevation
of 1,396 feet above sea level for recreational use during the summer. During
the fall, the lake is lowered 16 feet to hold additional water from winter
and spring runoff.
When flooding does occurs, the gates in the intake structure are closed
to the lowest level. The water runs off from the 221 square mile drainage
basin behind the Dam. The water is then 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 and Ohio Rivers
as a part of a larger flood control system.
The Flannagan Dam has prevented millions of dollars of damage due to
flooding in excess of the $20 million it cost to build.
Low-Flow Augmentation
When the rivers are at low-flow, as usually happens in the dry months of
late summer, the amount of dissolved oxygen may be too low for fish and
wildlife.
Lake water releases can augment the water supply for downstream needs
and increase the oxygen level to maintain a viable fishery. The downstream
water temperature can also be controlled by releasing water from the lake
at different levels.
FISH, WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
With three campgrounds, five boat ramps, picnic areas, fishing,
hiking, hunting, boating, and picnic shelters, it's possible to find something
for everyone at the John W Flannagan Dam & Reservoir.
Swimming is available anywhere in the lake at your own risk where not
posted or otherwise prohibited by law. Picnic shelters may be reserved by
contacting the project office.
Looking for more things to do? Try your hand at catching some monster
walleye and bass from boat or shore or take a breathtaking white water trip
from the Dam to Breaks Interstate Park on the river.
Additionally, the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors operates or subleases
areas offering ball
fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and even a horse show ring near
the Pound River Campground.
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