Lake Barcroft, Virginia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lake Barcroft, Virginia
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Lake Barcroft, Virginia


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Virginia
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Fairfax

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 7.0
area_land_km2 = 6.4
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_total_sq_mi = 2.7
area_land_sq_mi = 2.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 8906
population_density_km2 = 1390.9
population_density_sq_mi = 3602.5

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 80
elevation_ft = 262
latd = 38 |latm = 51 |lats = 5 |latNS = N
longd = 77 |longm = 9 |longs = 20 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 51-43352GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1492515GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Lake Barcroft is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,906 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Lake Barcroft is located at coor dms|38|51|5|N|77|9|20|W|city (38.851412, -77.155654)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²), of which, 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (8.15%) is water.

Lake Barcroft is located in a suburb of Washington, D.C. The local high school is J.E.B. Stuart.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 8,906 people, 3,589 households, and 2,415 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,602.5 people per square mile (1,392.2/km²). There were 3,673 housing units at an average density of 1,485.7/sq mi (574.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.98% White, 9.59% Asian, 4.92% African American, 4.84% from other races, 4.35% from two or more races, 0.26% Native American, and 0.07% Pacific Islander.

Hispanics or Latinos (who may be of any race) were 14.72% of the population.

There were 3,589 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $83,593, and the median income for a family was $101,562. Males had a median income of $62,882 versus $52,284 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $46,293. About 2.7% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 0.8% of those age 65 or over.

Organization

Lake Barcroft itself is privately owned, and managed by a homeowners' association. Property owners on the lake and the immediate areas are bound by a restrictive covenant that also gives them rights to use the lake. For homeowners who do not own riparian land, there are several private beaches that are open to people who live within the boundaries of the association.

The residents organize occasional aquatic festivals, most notably Independence Day fireworks every July 4. Fireworks are fired from one of the beaches, and residents crowd the water in their electric-powered or paddled boats to watch.

Gas and diesel engines are prohibited on the lake to prevent noise and pollution. Only the lifeguards have access to gas-powered motorboats. Most residents own a small sailboat, canoe, or an electrically powered boat.

Ecology

The lake is home to many freshwater species of fish and invertebrate. Largemouth bass were introduced to the lake decades ago, and now the population is self-sustaining. Catfish and bluegill also live in the lake in large numbers. Semi-aquatic species such as muskrat, ducks, Canada Geese and kingfishers are also common.

Lake Barcroft receives large amounts of runoff from adjacent parts of Fairfax County, Virginia. These cause occasional algal blooms. The microbiology of the lake is monitored, and is it considered safe for fishing and swimming.

History

The lake was designed as a reservoir by George Washington, the former U.S. President.

In 1972, Hurricane Agnes passed over the area. The hurricane caused so much rain that the lake level rose above the top of the dam that controls the flow from the lake. This resulted in the lake overflowing, and rapidly eroding the land on either side of the dam. The lake emptied catastrophically, flooding areas of downstream Alexandria, Virginia. The lake was dry for years during the early 1970s while the damaged dam was rebuilt. Had the dam's floodgate been lowered initially, some believe the incident could have been prevented. Ironically, the floodgate of the dam was not lowered for fear that doing so would flood Alexandria.

References

External links

* [http://www.lakebarcroft.org/index.html Lake Barcroft Association]
* [http://www.lakebarcroft.org/as/hist/story.shtml History of Lake Barcroft]