Amelia Dam

Unnamed tributary to Appomattox River - Bent Creek VAHU6 JA21· Amelia, Virginia· Earth· 38 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Amelia Dam is classified as low hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 84.6% in VA)
Dam Length880 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage743 acre-ft
Surface Area102 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,670 cfs
NID IDVA007001

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Saunders Dam

Amelia, VA

Low Hazard 23 ft

Mill Quarter Lake Dam

Powhatan, VA

High Hazard 36 ft

Quarter Mill Lake Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Whittington Dam

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Amelia County Dam # 10

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Amelia County Dam # 12

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Layman Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Amelia County Dam # 13

Amelia, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Amelia Dam?

Amelia Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Amelia Dam?

Amelia Dam is owned by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Amelia Dam?

Amelia Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Amelia Dam?

Amelia Dam has a dam height of 38 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Amelia Dam last inspected?

Amelia Dam was last inspected on March 12, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.