Lake Prince Dam

Western Branch of Nansemond River - VAHU6 JL47 Western Branch Reservoir· Suffolk, Virginia· Earth· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lake Prince Dam is classified as low hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 60.8% in VA)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage15.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.4K acre-ft
Surface Area760 acres
Drainage Area30 sq mi
NID IDVA800004

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 22, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

City of Norfolk, Department of Utilities

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Izaak Walton Dam

Suffolk, VA

Low Hazard 35 ft

Lake Burnt Mills Dam

Suffolk, VA

High Hazard 47 ft

Western Branch Dam

Suffolk, VA

High Hazard 41 ft

Rountree North Dam

Suffolk, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Lake Cohoon Dam

Suffolk, VA

High Hazard 29 ft

Rountree South Dam

Suffolk, VA

Unknown 11 ft

Rhodes Dam

Isle of Wight, VA

Unknown 16 ft

Godwins Millpond Dam

Suffolk, VA

High Hazard 14 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Prince Dam?

Lake Prince Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Prince Dam?

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

What is the primary purpose of Lake Prince Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Prince Dam?

Lake Prince 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 Prince Dam last inspected?

Lake Prince Dam was last inspected on August 22, 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.