Hobby Hill Dam

TR-JAMES RIVER· Richmond City, Virginia· Earth· 25 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Hobby Hill 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	25 ft (taller than 46.7% in VA)
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	65 acre-ft
Normal Storage	45 acre-ft

Surface Area	5 acres
Drainage Area	0 sq mi
NID ID	VA760006

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: February 15, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Westbury Lake Dam

Richmond City, VA

High Hazard 27 ft

Winston Lake Dam

Richmond City, VA

High Hazard 28 ft

Cherokee Dam

Richmond City, VA

High Hazard 24 ft

Bosher Dam

Henrico, VA

Unknown 10 ft

Reed Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 21 ft

Spring Creek Upper Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 19 ft

Westham Dam

Henrico, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Page Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hobby Hill Dam?

Hobby Hill 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 Hobby Hill Dam?

Hobby Hill Dam is owned by City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Hobby Hill Dam?

Hobby Hill 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 Hobby Hill Dam?

Hobby Hill Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Hobby Hill Dam last inspected?

Hobby Hill Dam was last inspected on February 15, 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.