Canterbury Dam

Henrico, Virginia· Earth· 13 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Canterbury 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	13 ft (taller than 8.1% in VA)
Dam Length	125 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	162 acre-ft
Normal Storage	57 acre-ft

Surface Area	11 acres
Drainage Area	10 sq mi
NID ID	VA087002

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 5, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Henrico County, Department of Public Works

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Duval Pond Dam

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Rivergate Lake Dam

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Barrington Dam

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Westham Dam

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West Creek Dam

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West Broad Village Dam

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Wilde Lake Dam

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Wellesley Dam

Henrico, VA

High Hazard 29 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Canterbury Dam?

Canterbury 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 Canterbury Dam?

Canterbury Dam is owned by Henrico County, Department of Public Works (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Canterbury Dam?

Canterbury 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 Canterbury Dam?

Canterbury Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Canterbury Dam last inspected?

Canterbury Dam was last inspected on April 5, 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.