Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam
Key Takeaway
Sweet Briar College - Lower 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 | 32 ft (taller than 74.1% in VA) |
| Dam Length | 294 ft |
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| Max Storage | 177 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 142 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| NID ID | VA009019 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Sweet Briar College
Private
Nearby Dams
Sweet Briar College - Upper Dam
Amherst, VA
Low Hazard 25 ftAmherst County Dam # 10
Amherst, VA
Unknown 22 ftAmherst County Dam # 9
Amherst, VA
Unknown 21 ftAmherst County Dam # 11
Amherst, VA
Unknown 34 ftUpper Izaak Walton Dam
Amherst, VA
Significant Hazard 25 ftLower Izaak Walton Dam
Amherst, VA
Significant Hazard 22 ftEarley Dam
Amherst, VA
High Hazard 39 ftMonacan Indian Dam
Amherst, VA
Unknown 31 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam?
Sweet Briar College - Lower 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 Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam?
Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam is owned by Sweet Briar College (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
What is the primary purpose of Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam?
Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam?
Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam last inspected?
Sweet Briar College - Lower Dam was last inspected on August 30, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.