Lower Powhatan Dam

STEGERS CREEK· Powhatan, Virginia· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Powhatan Dam is classified as low hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 24.5% in VA)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage305 acre-ft
Normal Storage126 acre-ft
Drainage Area5 sq mi
NID IDVA145002

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: No
Last Inspection: March 4, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Upper Powhatan Dam

Powhatan, VA

High Hazard 27 ft

Redford Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 13 ft

Sunfish Pond Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 26 ft

Bass Pond Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 20 ft

Martin Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 21 ft

Dunivan Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 29 ft

Walton Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Willis Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Powhatan Dam?

Lower Powhatan 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 Lower Powhatan Dam?

Lower Powhatan 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 Lower Powhatan Dam?

Lower Powhatan 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 Lower Powhatan Dam?

Lower Powhatan Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Lower Powhatan Dam last inspected?

Lower Powhatan Dam was last inspected on March 4, 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.