Upper Mint Springs Dam

POWELLS CREEK· Albemarle, Virginia· Earth· 30 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Mint Springs 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	30 ft (taller than 67.7% in VA)
Dam Length	250 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	81 acre-ft
Normal Storage	46 acre-ft

Surface Area	4 acres
Drainage Area	0 sq mi
NID ID	VA003146

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 10, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Albemarle County;Albemarle County Local Government;Albemarle County Local Government

Local Government

Nearby Dams

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Fox Hunt Dam

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Whites / Roseland Farm Dam

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Village Dam

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Old Trail Dam #1

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Old Trail Dam #2

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Henleys Dam

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Sugar Hollow Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Mint Springs Dam?

Upper Mint Springs 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 Upper Mint Springs Dam?

Upper Mint Springs Dam is owned by Albemarle County;Albemarle County Local Government;Albemarle County Local Government (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Upper Mint Springs Dam?

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

How tall is Upper Mint Springs Dam?

Upper Mint Springs Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Upper Mint Springs Dam last inspected?

Upper Mint Springs Dam was last inspected on October 10, 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.