Margaret Dam

SECOND BRANCH· Chesterfield, Virginia· Buttress· 17 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Margaret 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	17 ft (taller than 17.7% in VA)
Dam Length	160 ft
Dam Type	Buttress
Max Storage	410 acre-ft
Normal Storage	365 acre-ft

Surface Area	51 acres
Drainage Area	20 sq mi
NID ID	VA041014

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: March 23, 2018

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Lake Margaret LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

First Branch Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Significant Hazard 40 ft

Shoosmith Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 58 ft

Crostick Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Woodland Pond

Chesterfield, VA

High Hazard 35 ft

Leroy Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Rowlett Road Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Low Hazard 18 ft

Lewis Road Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 14 ft

Pells Dam

Chesterfield, VA

Unknown 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Margaret Dam?

Margaret 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 Margaret Dam?

Margaret Dam is owned by Lake Margaret LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Margaret Dam?

Margaret 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 Margaret Dam?

Margaret Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Margaret Dam last inspected?

Margaret Dam was last inspected on March 23, 2018. 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.