Burnshire

North Fork Shenandoah· Shenandoah, Virginia· Built 1904· Gravity· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Burnshire is classified as low hazard in Virginia. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 9.7% in VA)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage66 acre-ft
Normal Storage66 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area675 sq mi
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
NID IDVA171008

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: No
Last Inspection: June 13, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Burnshire Hydroelectric, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Chapman

Shenandoah, VA

Low Hazard 17 ft

Seven Fountains Dam

Shenandoah, VA

Unknown 11 ft

Edinburg Dam

Shenandoah, VA

Unknown 16 ft

Bryan Cooper Dam

Page, VA

Unknown 28 ft

Strasburg Dam

Shenandoah, VA

Significant Hazard 36 ft

Green Rock Dam

Shenandoah, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Fortsmouth INC Dam

Warren, VA

Unknown 13 ft

Plant Sediment Pond

Shenandoah, VA

Low Hazard 8 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burnshire?

Burnshire 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 Burnshire?

Burnshire is owned by Burnshire Hydroelectric, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Burnshire built?

Burnshire was completed in 1904, making it 122 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Burnshire?

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

How tall is Burnshire?

Burnshire has a dam height of 14 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 Burnshire last inspected?

Burnshire was last inspected on June 13, 2018. 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.