Falling Creek Reservoir Dam

FALLING CREEK· Chesterfield, Virginia· Buttress· 34 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Falling Creek Reservoir 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 34 ft (taller than 78.3% in VA)
Dam Length207 ft
Dam TypeButtress
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage920 acre-ft
Surface Area92 acres
Drainage Area53 sq mi
NID IDVA041015

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: December 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Chesterfield County Utilities Department;Chesterfield County Utilities Department

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Falling Creek Reservoir Dam?

Falling Creek 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 Falling Creek Reservoir Dam?

Falling Creek Reservoir Dam is owned by Chesterfield County Utilities Department;Chesterfield County Utilities Department (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Falling Creek Reservoir Dam?

Falling Creek Reservoir 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 Falling Creek Reservoir Dam?

Falling Creek Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Falling Creek Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Falling Creek Reservoir Dam was last inspected on December 1, 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.