The Laurels Dam

trib. Po River· Spotsylvania, Virginia· Earth· 25 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

The Laurels Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation. 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	25 ft (taller than 46.7% in VA)
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	413 acre-ft

Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	VA177027

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: August 3, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

The Laurels

Private

Nearby Dams

Gordons Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 15 ft

Ni River Dam #1

Spotsylvania, VA

High Hazard 51 ft

Fresh Water Pond

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 25 ft

Jennings Pond Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 18 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #10

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Wrights Pond Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 7 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #11

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 32 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #9

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 37 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of The Laurels Dam?

The Laurels 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 The Laurels Dam?

The Laurels Dam is owned by The Laurels (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of The Laurels Dam?

The Laurels 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 The Laurels Dam?

The Laurels Dam has a dam height of 25 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 The Laurels Dam last inspected?

The Laurels Dam was last inspected on August 3, 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.