Hungry Mother Dam
Key Takeaway
Hungry Mother 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 | 45 ft (taller than 90.8% in VA) |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 2.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.4K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 124 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 59,000 cfs |
| NID ID | VA173001 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Department of Conservation & Recreation - Division of State Parks
State Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Hungry Mother Dam?
Hungry Mother 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 Hungry Mother Dam?
Hungry Mother Dam is owned by Department of Conservation & Recreation - Division of State Parks (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
What is the primary purpose of Hungry Mother Dam?
Hungry Mother 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 Hungry Mother Dam?
Hungry Mother Dam has a dam height of 45 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 Hungry Mother Dam last inspected?
Hungry Mother Dam was last inspected on April 20, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.