Ni River Dam #1

NI RIVER· Spotsylvania, Virginia· Earth· 51 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ni River Dam #1 is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is water supply. 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	51 ft (taller than 93.6% in VA)
Dam Length	1,750 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	24.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage	8.6K acre-ft

Surface Area	401 acres
Drainage Area	24 sq mi
NID ID	VA177001

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: July 29, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Spotsylvania County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

The Laurels Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

High Hazard 25 ft

Sawhill Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 19 ft

Fresh Water Pond

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Chancellor West Dam

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Unknown 25 ft

Cool Spring Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 24 ft

Gordons Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 15 ft

Wrights Pond Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 7 ft

Jennings Pond Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 18 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ni River Dam #1?

Ni River Dam #1 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 Ni River Dam #1?

Ni River Dam #1 is owned by Spotsylvania County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Ni River Dam #1?

Ni River Dam #1 serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ni River Dam #1?

Ni River Dam #1 has a dam height of 51 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 Ni River Dam #1 last inspected?

Ni River Dam #1 was last inspected on July 29, 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.