Lancaster County Dam #3

Lancaster, Virginia· 13 ft tall
High Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Lancaster County Dam #3 is classified as high hazard in Virginia. 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 13 ft (taller than 8.1% in VA)
Dam Length200 ft
Max Storage133 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
NID IDVA103010

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: No
Last Inspection: January 14, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Janet Sowder

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lancaster County Dam #3?

Lancaster County Dam #3 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 Lancaster County Dam #3?

Lancaster County Dam #3 is owned by Janet Sowder (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

How tall is Lancaster County Dam #3?

Lancaster County Dam #3 has a dam height of 13 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 Lancaster County Dam #3 last inspected?

Lancaster County Dam #3 was last inspected on January 14, 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.