Pohick Creek Dam #1

South Run· Fairfax, Virginia· Earth· 60 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Pohick Creek Dam #1 is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 60 ft (taller than 95.8% in VA)
Dam Length1,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area43 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
NID IDVA059029

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: October 14, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pohick Creek Dam #1?

Pohick Creek 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 Pohick Creek Dam #1?

Pohick Creek Dam #1 is owned by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Pohick Creek Dam #1?

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

How tall is Pohick Creek Dam #1?

Pohick Creek Dam #1 has a dam height of 60 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 Pohick Creek Dam #1 last inspected?

Pohick Creek Dam #1 was last inspected on October 14, 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.