Ragged Mountain Dam

Albemarle, Virginia· Earth· 133 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Ragged Mountain Dam 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	133 ft (taller than 99.2% in VA)
Dam Length	780 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	8.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage	5.3K acre-ft

Surface Area	170 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
NID ID	VA003053

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 7, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority

Public Utility

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ragged Mountain Dam?

Ragged Mountain 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 Ragged Mountain Dam?

Ragged Mountain Dam is owned by Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Ragged Mountain Dam?

Ragged Mountain Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ragged Mountain Dam?

Ragged Mountain Dam has a dam height of 133 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 Ragged Mountain Dam last inspected?

Ragged Mountain Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2020. 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.