Orchid Lake Dam

Owens Creek· Louisa, Virginia· Built 1966· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Orchid Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Virginia. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 20.3% in VA)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage170 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDVA109052

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: April 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Orchid Lake Estates Homeowners Association

Private

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Cox Dam

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Old Mountain North Dam

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Harris Pond Dam

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Wise Dam

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Woodlin Dam

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Bullock Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Orchid Lake Dam?

Orchid Lake 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 Orchid Lake Dam?

Orchid Lake Dam is owned by Orchid Lake Estates Homeowners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Orchid Lake Dam built?

Orchid Lake Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Orchid Lake Dam?

Orchid Lake 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 Orchid Lake Dam?

Orchid Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Orchid Lake Dam last inspected?

Orchid Lake Dam was last inspected on April 1, 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.