Coleman Falls

James· Bedford, Virginia· Built 1851· Gravity· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Coleman Falls is classified as low hazard in Virginia. It was completed in 1851 and is 175 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 26.8% in VA)
Dam Length562 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.2K acre-ft
Surface Area210 acres
Drainage Area3,180 sq mi
Year Completed1851 (175 years old)
NID IDVA009003

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 26, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Coleman Falls Company, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Coleman Falls?

Coleman Falls 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 Coleman Falls?

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

When was Coleman Falls built?

Coleman Falls was completed in 1851, making it 175 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 Coleman Falls?

Coleman Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Coleman Falls?

Coleman Falls has a dam height of 20 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 Coleman Falls last inspected?

Coleman Falls was last inspected on June 26, 2019. 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.