Lake Burnt Mills Dam

Western Branch of Nansemond River - VAHU6 JL47 Western Branch Reservoir· Suffolk, Virginia· Earth· 47 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lake Burnt Mills Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is water supply. 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	47 ft (taller than 92% in VA)
Dam Length	2,520 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	18.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage	10.3K acre-ft

Surface Area	600 acres
Drainage Area	25 sq mi
Max Discharge	15,665 cfs
NID ID	VA800003

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: July 7, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

City of Norfolk

Public Utility

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Burnt Mills Dam?

Lake Burnt Mills 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 Burnt Mills Dam?

Lake Burnt Mills Dam is owned by City of Norfolk (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Burnt Mills Dam?

Lake Burnt Mills Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Burnt Mills Dam?

Lake Burnt Mills Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Burnt Mills Dam last inspected?

Lake Burnt Mills Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2020. 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.