Hale Lake

WOLF PEN BRANCH· Grayson, Virginia· Built 1965· Earth· 30 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Hale Lake is classified as high hazard in Virginia. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. 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	30 ft (taller than 67.7% in VA)
Dam Length	188 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	53 acre-ft
Normal Storage	45 acre-ft

Surface Area	0 acres
Drainage Area	0 sq mi
Max Discharge	188 cfs
Year Completed	1965 (61 years old)
NID ID	VA077001

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: No

Last Inspection: September 15, 2019

State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Bottomley Evergreen & Farms INC. Dam

Grayson, VA

Unknown 28 ft

Chicago Heritage Farms LLC Dam

Grayson, VA

Unknown 29 ft

Glade Mtn Washer Site 3 Dam

Smyth, VA

Unknown 74 ft

Hidden Valley Estates Dam

Grayson, VA

High Hazard 27 ft

Rural Retreat Dam

Wythe, VA

High Hazard 44 ft

Glade Mtn No 1

Smyth, VA

Low Hazard 74 ft

Laurel Creek Dam

Grayson, VA

Low Hazard 24 ft

Shateley Dam

Grayson, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hale Lake?

Hale Lake 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 Hale Lake?

Hale Lake is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hale Lake built?

Hale Lake was completed in 1965, making it 61 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Hale Lake?

Hale Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Hale Lake?

Hale Lake has a dam height of 30 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 Hale Lake last inspected?

Hale Lake was last inspected on September 15, 2019. 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.