General Discussion

irisblue

(32,982 posts) Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:57 AM Aug 2018

Possible dam collapse near Lynchburg Va.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lynchburg-virginia-college-lake-dam-flooding-imminent-failure-breach-va-2018-08-03/

From the article

"The nearest downstream city from the dam is Lynchburg. The National Weather Service said if complete failure of the dam occurs, "the water depth in Lynchburg could exceed 17 feet in seven minutes."

County officials reported the dam's "imminent failure" at around 9:30 p.m. They were still looking for signs of structural failure early Friday as water spilling over the dam, threatening about 124 houses in the city of 80,000.

Local fire and police were sending boats to rescue people to area shelters. A flash flood watch was in effect until 11 a.m."

more at article

15 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Possible dam collapse near Lynchburg Va. (Original Post) irisblue Aug 2018 OP

Get thee to the greatest page for visibility malaise Aug 2018 #1

Holy shit!! nt Guy Whitey Corngood Aug 2018 #2

Isn't that the home of Liberty U CanonRay Aug 2018 #3

And lots of other innocent people who don't deserve to get their houses flooded. nt Tommy_Carcetti Aug 2018 #5

I guess I was wondering if they'd call this God's judgement on them CanonRay Aug 2018 #6

If it goes in the opposite direction of Liberty, they'd probably claim it's God's favor. Tommy_Carcetti Aug 2018 #7

+ 1 ChiTownDenny Aug 2018 #12

Yup. ChiTownDenny Aug 2018 #11

A friend lives near there & tweeted it out. irisblue Aug 2018 #4

More info here... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2018 #8

I used to go to Lynchburg every year on business. The topography there is a mix of high areas dameatball Aug 2018 #9

If there really was a God... jmowreader Aug 2018 #10

From local paper, www.newsadvance.com irisblue Aug 2018 #13

Update for 12:25 p.m. noon Friday FakeNoose Aug 2018 #14

great minds irisblue Aug 2018 #15

malaise

(269,063 posts)

1. Get thee to the greatest page for visibility

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 10:59 AM

Aug 2018

Stay safe DUers

Guy Whitey Corngood

(26,501 posts)

2. Holy shit!! nt

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:00 AM

Aug 2018

CanonRay

(14,104 posts)

3. Isn't that the home of Liberty U

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:02 AM

Aug 2018

and a lot of religious zealots?

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,184 posts)

5. And lots of other innocent people who don't deserve to get their houses flooded. nt

Reply to CanonRay (Reply #3)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:06 AM

Aug 2018

CanonRay

(14,104 posts)

6. I guess I was wondering if they'd call this God's judgement on them

Reply to Tommy_Carcetti (Reply #5)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:07 AM

Aug 2018

or just blame it on gays again.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,184 posts)

7. If it goes in the opposite direction of Liberty, they'd probably claim it's God's favor.

Reply to CanonRay (Reply #6)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:10 AM

Aug 2018

Who knows. It's Falwell.

ChiTownDenny

(747 posts)

12. + 1

Reply to CanonRay (Reply #6)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:11 PM

Aug 2018

ChiTownDenny

(747 posts)

11. Yup.

Reply to CanonRay (Reply #3)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:21 PM

Aug 2018

Jeebus not happy with fake Xtians.

irisblue

(32,982 posts)

4. A friend lives near there & tweeted it out.

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:02 AM

Aug 2018

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,492 posts)

8. More info here...

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:45 AM

Aug 2018

Parts of Virginia city evacuate over possible dam failure
https://www.newsadvance.com/news/state/wire/parts-of-virginia-city-evacuate-over-possible-dam-failure/article_9da13227-93f1-5444-83c1-3435174fa1ff.html

(snip)

The National Weather Service said up to six inches (15 centimeters) of rain fell within hours, filling College Lake near Lynchburg beyond capacity. The service says a failure of the College Lake Dam could flood parts of Lynchburg with 17 feet (5 meters) of water in just seven minutes.

Thanks for the OP and alerting us to this, Irisblue......

dameatball

(7,398 posts)

9. I used to go to Lynchburg every year on business. The topography there is a mix of high areas

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 11:57 AM

Aug 2018

and low areas. I suppose the local officials have a pretty good idea what areas are most vulnerable. When I worked for the state in VA, federal, state and local agencies would get together every year or two and conduct table top drills on exactly this subject.....dam failures.

jmowreader

(50,560 posts)

10. If there really was a God...

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 12:03 PM

Aug 2018

He would wipe the dens of iniquity known as Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church off the face of the earth, and leave the homes, other businesses, and the beer distributor in Lynchburg untouched.

irisblue

(32,982 posts)

13. From local paper, www.newsadvance.com

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:28 PM

Aug 2018

UPDATE, 12:25 p.m. Aug. 3: Engineering firm WileyWilson "is currently completing the conditions assessment of the College Lake Dam," according to an update sent shortly after noon Friday from Lynchburg Water Resources.

The firm has found no seepage and the dam is considered stable at this hour.

"We are developing a plan to stabilize the dam which may include opening the sluice gate at the dam to reduce the water levels. Opening the sluice will not empty the lake completely as it is only a 3x3' culvert, but homeowners downstream may see slightly increased stream levels on Blackwater Creek. However, no significant flooding will result if this action is taken," according to the update.

It's supposed to continue to rain today.

FakeNoose

(32,645 posts)

14. Update for 12:25 p.m. noon Friday

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:29 PM

Aug 2018

UPDATE, 12:25 p.m. Aug. 3: Engineering firm WileyWilson "is currently completing the conditions assessment of the College Lake Dam," according to an update sent shortly after noon Friday from Lynchburg Water Resources.

The firm has found no seepage and the dam is considered stable at this hour.

"We are developing a plan to stabilize the dam which may include opening the sluice gate at the dam to reduce the water levels. Opening the sluice will not empty the lake completely as it is only a 3x3' culvert, but homeowners downstream may see slightly increased stream levels on Blackwater Creek. However, no significant flooding will result if this action is taken," according to the update.

"Regarding lifting the evacuation, our main priority is ensuring that the dam is stabilized."

In the meantime, the city said Community Development is assessing buildings to ensure that they are safe to return to.

Good luck and stay safe in Virginia!

irisblue

(32,982 posts)

15. great minds

Reply to FakeNoose (Reply #14)

Fri Aug 3, 2018, 01:38 PM

Aug 2018

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