Bowles Dam

TR-BEAVER DAM CREEK· Goochland, Virginia· Earth· 37 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

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

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 83.5% in VA)
Dam Length930 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage137 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
NID IDVA075023

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: May 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Douglas M. Adams

Private

Nearby Dams

Adams Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 26 ft

Hawk Town North Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 24 ft

Hawk Town South Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Fox Downs Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 21 ft

Reynolds Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Upper East Fork Genito Dam

Goochland, VA

Low Hazard 21 ft

Bauham Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 18 ft

Sheppard Town Dam

Goochland, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bowles Dam?

Bowles 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 Bowles Dam?

Bowles Dam is owned by Douglas M. Adams (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bowles Dam?

Bowles 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 Bowles Dam?

Bowles Dam has a dam height of 37 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 Bowles Dam last inspected?

Bowles Dam was last inspected on May 1, 2021. 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.