Map of All 2,712 Virginia Dams
Virginia has 2,712 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 440 are classified as high hazard (16% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 52 Virginia dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Virginia dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Virginia to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Virginia Dams by the Numbers
- 2,712 total dams in Virginia
- 440 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 183 significant hazard
- 316 low hazard
- 124 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (101 poor, 23 unsatisfactory)
- 52 Virginia dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Virginia
The tallest dam in Virginia is Long Bottom Branch Dam at 605 feet, completed in unknown year. The 10 tallest Virginia dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Bottom Branch Dam | 605 ft | – | Other | Not Rated | Buchanan |
| Bath County P S Upper Reservoir – Upper Dam | 460 ft | 1984 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Bath |
| 30-Acre Pond | 300 ft | – | Tailings | Not Rated | Russell |
| West Fork Slurry Impoundment Dam | 260 ft | – | – | Not Rated | Buchanan |
| Gathright Dam | 257 ft | 1978 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Alleghany |
| John W. Flannagan Dam | 250 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Dickenson |
| Salies Branch Slurry Impoundment Dam | 250 ft | – | – | Not Rated | Wise |
| Miller Cove Slurry Impoundment Dam | 245 ft | – | – | Not Rated | Lee |
| Clifford D. Craig Memorial Dam | 241 ft | – | Water Supply | Fair | Roanoke |
| Smith Mountain Combination Pump Storage | 237 ft | 1964 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Pittsylvania |
High-Hazard Virginia Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 52 dams in Virginia. Notable examples:
- Bath County P S Lower Reservoir – Lower Dam (170 ft, Bath County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Lake Montclair Dam (74 ft, Prince William County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Beaverdam Creek Dam (68 ft, Bedford County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Little Creek Dam (67 ft, James City County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Lunga Dam (59 ft, Stafford County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Virginia
Dam safety in Virginia is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Virginia?
Virginia has 2,712 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 440 high hazard, 183 significant hazard, and 316 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Virginia?
The tallest dam in Virginia is Long Bottom Branch Dam at 605 feet, completed in unknown year. It is primarily a other structure.
How many Virginia dams are in poor condition?
124 Virginia dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 52 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
