Holcomb Rock

James River· Amherst, Virginia· Built 1850· Gravity· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Holcomb Rock is classified as low hazard in Virginia. It was completed in 1850 and is 176 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 46.7% in VA)
Dam Length644 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area127 acres
Drainage Area3,250 sq mi
Year Completed1850 (176 years old)
NID IDVA009021

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 26, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Holcomb Rock Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Garrard Lake Dam

Bedford, VA

Unknown 36 ft

Chilarna Lake Dam

Bedford, VA

Unknown 45 ft

Woods Landing Dam

Bedford, VA

High Hazard 41 ft

Unidentified Dam

Bedford, VA

Unknown 42 ft

Carrington Dam

Bedford, VA

Unknown 33 ft

Eagle Eyrie Lake Dam

Bedford, VA

High Hazard 50 ft

Coleman Falls

Bedford, VA

Low Hazard 20 ft

Chambers Dam

Bedford, VA

Unknown 37 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Holcomb Rock?

Holcomb Rock is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Holcomb Rock?

Holcomb Rock is owned by Holcomb Rock Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Holcomb Rock built?

Holcomb Rock was completed in 1850, making it 176 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 Holcomb Rock?

Holcomb Rock serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Holcomb Rock?

Holcomb Rock 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 Holcomb Rock last inspected?

Holcomb Rock was last inspected on June 26, 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.