Fairview Lake Dam

Holmes Run· Fairfax, Virginia· Gravity· 27 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fairview Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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	27 ft (taller than 56.5% in VA)
Dam Length	202 ft
Dam Type	Gravity
Max Storage	785 acre-ft
Normal Storage	180 acre-ft

Surface Area	19 acres
Drainage Area	3 sq mi
NID ID	VA059031

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: May 3, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fairview Lake Dam?

Fairview Lake 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 Fairview Lake Dam?

Fairview Lake Dam is owned by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Fairview Lake Dam?

Fairview Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fairview Lake Dam?

Fairview Lake Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Fairview Lake Dam last inspected?

Fairview Lake Dam was last inspected on May 3, 2022. 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.