Braswell'S Dam

DAN RIVER· Patrick, Virginia· Earth· 33 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Braswell'S Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	33 ft (taller than 76.7% in VA)
Dam Length	900 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	205 acre-ft
Normal Storage	133 acre-ft

Surface Area	12 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	VA141008

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: February 10, 2015

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Payson N. and Sara J. Sullivan

Private

Nearby Dams

Osborne Dam

Patrick, VA

Unknown 50 ft

Mitchells Dam

Patrick, VA

Unknown 85 ft

Moore Dam

Patrick, VA

Unknown 32 ft

Talbott

Patrick, VA

High Hazard 123 ft

Townes

Patrick, VA

High Hazard 115 ft

Fain Dam

Patrick, VA

Unknown 30 ft

Bouldin Church Dam

Patrick, VA

Unknown 29 ft

Rakes Mill Dam

Floyd, VA

Unknown 10 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Braswell'S Dam?

Braswell'S Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Braswell'S Dam?

Braswell'S Dam is owned by Payson N. and Sara J. Sullivan (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Braswell'S Dam?

Braswell'S 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 Braswell'S Dam?

Braswell'S Dam has a dam height of 33 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 Braswell'S Dam last inspected?

Braswell'S Dam was last inspected on February 10, 2015. 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.