Dan E. French Reservoir Dam

Graham Creek - VAHU6 JM08 Harris Creek· Amherst, Virginia· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Dan E. French Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is water supply. 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 45 ft (taller than 90.8% in VA)
Dam Length530 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage781 acre-ft
Surface Area58 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
NID IDVA009008

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: November 12, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Amherst County Service Authority (ACSA)

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dan E. French Reservoir Dam?

Dan E. French Reservoir 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 Dan E. French Reservoir Dam?

Dan E. French Reservoir Dam is owned by Amherst County Service Authority (ACSA) (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Dan E. French Reservoir Dam?

Dan E. French Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dan E. French Reservoir Dam?

Dan E. French Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 45 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 Dan E. French Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Dan E. French Reservoir Dam was last inspected on November 12, 2021. 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.