Lake Curtis Dam

Long Branch· Stafford, Virginia· Earth· 38 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Curtis 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	38 ft (taller than 84.6% in VA)
Dam Length	1,350 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage	824 acre-ft

Surface Area	95 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
NID ID	VA179010

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 22, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

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Hartlake Dam No. 1

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Little Lake Arrowhead Dam

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Lake Arrowhead Dam

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Rocky Pen Run Regional Pond 2a Dam

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Ad Clark Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Curtis Dam?

Lake Curtis 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 Curtis Dam?

Lake Curtis 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 Lake Curtis Dam?

Lake Curtis 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 Curtis Dam?

Lake Curtis Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Curtis Dam last inspected?

Lake Curtis Dam was last inspected on March 22, 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.