Upper Powhatan Dam

STEGERS CREEK· Powhatan, Virginia· Earth· 27 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Powhatan 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	27 ft (taller than 56.5% in VA)
Dam Length	435 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	750 acre-ft
Normal Storage	210 acre-ft

Surface Area	35 acres
Drainage Area	5 sq mi
Max Discharge	4,330 cfs
NID ID	VA145001

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: March 4, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Lower Powhatan Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 19 ft

Sunfish Pond Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 26 ft

Bass Pond Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 20 ft

Redford Dam

Powhatan, VA

Low Hazard 13 ft

Dunivan Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 29 ft

Walton Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Martin Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 21 ft

Seth Corp Dam

Powhatan, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Powhatan Dam?

Upper Powhatan 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 Powhatan Dam?

Upper Powhatan 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 Upper Powhatan Dam?

Upper Powhatan 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 Upper Powhatan Dam?

Upper Powhatan Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Powhatan Dam last inspected?

Upper Powhatan Dam was last inspected on March 4, 2021. 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.