Gordons Dam

MILES CREEK· Mecklenburg, Virginia· Earth· 26 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Gordons 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	26 ft (taller than 51.6% in VA)
Dam Length	400 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	2.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	1.7K acre-ft

Surface Area	157 acres
Drainage Area	21 sq mi
NID ID	VA117004

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: March 17, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

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Raineys Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gordons Dam?

Gordons 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 Gordons Dam?

Gordons Dam is owned by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Gordons Dam?

Gordons 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 Gordons Dam?

Gordons Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Gordons Dam last inspected?

Gordons Dam was last inspected on March 17, 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.