Earley Dam

Rocky Creek - VAHU6 JM31 Buffalo River - Rocky Creek· Amherst, Virginia· Earth· 39 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Earley 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	39 ft (taller than 85.8% in VA)
Dam Length	600 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage	673 acre-ft

Surface Area	61 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
NID ID	VA009006

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: August 24, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Scott Family Investments, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Amherst County Dam # 10

Amherst, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Amherst County Dam # 9

Amherst, VA

Unknown 21 ft

Amherst County Dam # 13

Amherst, VA

Unknown 30 ft

Wennings Dam

Amherst, VA

Unknown 40 ft

Lower Izaak Walton Dam

Amherst, VA

Significant Hazard 22 ft

Upper Izaak Walton Dam

Amherst, VA

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam

Amherst, VA

High Hazard 32 ft

Sweet Briar College - Upper Dam

Amherst, VA

Low Hazard 25 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Earley Dam?

Earley 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 Earley Dam?

Earley Dam is owned by Scott Family Investments, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Earley Dam?

Earley 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 Earley Dam?

Earley Dam has a dam height of 39 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 Earley Dam last inspected?

Earley Dam was last inspected on August 24, 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.