Lake Caroline Dam

Toe Ink Swamp / STEVENS MILL RUN· Caroline, Virginia· Earth· 48 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Caroline 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	48 ft (taller than 92.4% in VA)
Dam Length	1,425 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	8.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.8K acre-ft

Surface Area	273 acres
Drainage Area	10 sq mi
NID ID	VA033024

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: April 28, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Lake Caroline Property Owners Assoc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Smith Dairy Southwest Dam

Caroline, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Ladysmith Lake Dam

Caroline, VA

Significant Hazard 31 ft

Pendleton G.C. Irrigation Lake #1

Caroline, VA

Low Hazard 19 ft

Smith Dairy East Dam

Caroline, VA

Unknown 30 ft

Smith Dam

Caroline, VA

Unknown 11 ft

Lake Devolia Dam

Caroline, VA

Low Hazard 22 ft

Upper Mt. Olympus Dam

Caroline, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Boulwares Millpond Dam

Caroline, VA

Unknown 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Caroline Dam?

Lake Caroline 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 Caroline Dam?

Lake Caroline Dam is owned by Lake Caroline Property Owners Assoc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Caroline Dam?

Lake Caroline 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 Caroline Dam?

Lake Caroline Dam has a dam height of 48 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 Caroline Dam last inspected?

Lake Caroline Dam was last inspected on April 28, 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.