Burke Dam

BURKE MILL STREAM· Gloucester, Virginia· Earth· 21 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Burke 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	21 ft (taller than 31.6% in VA)
Dam Length	700 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	481 acre-ft
Normal Storage	221 acre-ft

Drainage Area	4 sq mi
NID ID	VA073006

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: January 27, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

GSCCC;GSCCC;Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast

Private

Nearby Dams

Cow Creek Dam

Gloucester, VA

High Hazard 16 ft

Conrads Dam

Middlesex, VA

Unknown 12 ft

Laneview Dam

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Unknown 17 ft

Healys Mill Dam

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Barricks Dam

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Unknown 18 ft

Healys Dam

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Beaverdam Lake Dam

Gloucester, VA

High Hazard 39 ft

Thousand Trails Dam

Gloucester, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burke Dam?

Burke 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 Burke Dam?

Burke Dam is owned by GSCCC;GSCCC;Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Burke Dam?

Burke 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 Burke Dam?

Burke Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Burke Dam last inspected?

Burke Dam was last inspected on January 27, 2023. 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.