Saunders Dam

Unnamed tributary Appomattox River - VAHU6 JA23 Appomattox River - Skinquarter Creek· Amelia, Virginia· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Irrigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Saunders Dam is classified as low hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 38.4% in VA)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage37 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
NID IDVA007012

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: No
Last Inspection: March 20, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Amelia Dam

Amelia, VA

Low Hazard 38 ft

Amelia County Dam # 10

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Amelia County Dam # 12

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Mill Quarter Lake Dam

Powhatan, VA

High Hazard 36 ft

Whittington Dam

Amelia, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Amelia County Dam # 13

Amelia, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Crawford Dam

Amelia, VA

Unknown 26 ft

Quarter Mill Lake Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Saunders Dam?

Saunders 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 Saunders Dam?

Saunders Dam is owned by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Saunders Dam?

Saunders Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Saunders Dam?

Saunders Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Saunders Dam last inspected?

Saunders Dam was last inspected on March 20, 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.