Horsepen Creek Dam

HORSEPEN CREEK· Buckingham, Virginia· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Horsepen Creek 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 35 ft (taller than 80% in VA)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage730 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
NID IDVA029014

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 4, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Willis River Dam #1b

Buckingham, VA

Significant Hazard 43 ft

Slate River Dam #2

Buckingham, VA

High Hazard 45 ft

Buckingham County Dam #16

Buckingham, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Buckingham County Dam #15

Buckingham, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Willis River Dam #1a

Buckingham, VA

High Hazard 42 ft

Slate River Dam #8

Buckingham, VA

High Hazard 50 ft

Buckingham County Dam #13

Buckingham, VA

Unknown 37 ft

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond

Buckingham, VA

Significant Hazard 35 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horsepen Creek Dam?

Horsepen Creek 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 Horsepen Creek Dam?

Horsepen Creek 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 Horsepen Creek Dam?

Horsepen Creek 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 Horsepen Creek Dam?

Horsepen Creek Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Horsepen Creek Dam last inspected?

Horsepen Creek Dam was last inspected on March 4, 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.