Lake of The Clouds Dam

Venus Branch· Warren, Virginia· Earth· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake of The Clouds 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 42 ft (taller than 88.8% in VA)
Dam Length227 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage69 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
NID IDVA187001

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: June 16, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

County of Warren

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake of The Clouds Dam?

Lake of The Clouds 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 of The Clouds Dam?

Lake of The Clouds Dam is owned by County of Warren (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake of The Clouds Dam?

Lake of The Clouds 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 of The Clouds Dam?

Lake of The Clouds Dam has a dam height of 42 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 of The Clouds Dam last inspected?

Lake of The Clouds Dam was last inspected on June 16, 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.