Spring Hollow Reservoir, located in Virginia’s southern Shenandoah Valley, is a 158-acre artificial lake created by damming a valley southwest of Roanoke. The reservoir, which holds over three billion gallons of water, is fed by the Roanoke River and enclosed by the Clifford D. Craig Memorial Dam. Nestled among forested rolling hills, the reservoir is part of a 540-acre watershed managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority.
Camp Roanoke, a children’s camp operated by Roanoke County, offers summer activities such as canoeing, archery, campfire singing, disc golf, a challenge course, and skill-building sessions. Adults can also rent camp facilities, including bunkhouses, a camp kitchen, catering services, a large pavilion, and hiking trails when the camp is not in session. Although the reservoir is a drinking water supply and fishing or motorized boating is not allowed, visitors can enjoy scenic views and occasional public walking tours around the lake’s four-mile shoreline.
Constructed with rolled-compact concrete, the dam is stable and low-maintenance. The off-stream storage method minimizes disruption to the watershed and aquatic life, with controlled pumping to protect fish spawning seasons. The reservoir also plays a crucial role as a settlement pond, filtering sediments before water treatment, ensuring the purity of the water supply. Innovative oxygen-diffuser technology helps maintain water quality by promoting complete biodegradation of organic matter.