Lake Accotink Dam

Accotink Creek· Fairfax, Virginia· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Accotink 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 28 ft (taller than 60.8% in VA)
Dam Length1,065 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage679 acre-ft
Surface Area88 acres
Drainage Area31 sq mi
NID IDVA059006

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: August 23, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Fairfax County Park Authority

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Accotink Dam?

Lake Accotink 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 Lake Accotink Dam?

Lake Accotink Dam is owned by Fairfax County Park Authority (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Accotink Dam?

Lake Accotink 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 Lake Accotink Dam?

Lake Accotink Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Lake Accotink Dam last inspected?

Lake Accotink Dam was last inspected on August 23, 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.