Burton Dam

TOMAHAWK CREEK· Pittsylvania, Virginia· Earth· 33 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Burton 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	185 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage	730 acre-ft

Surface Area	73 acres
Drainage Area	8 sq mi
NID ID	VA143004

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: April 3, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

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Hammock Dam

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Owen House Pond Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burton Dam?

Burton 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 Burton Dam?

Burton 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 Burton Dam?

Burton 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 Burton Dam?

Burton 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 Burton Dam last inspected?

Burton Dam was last inspected on April 3, 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.