Upper Shields Lake Dam

TR-JAMES RIVER· Richmond City, Virginia· Earth· 20 ft tall
Unknown Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Shields Lake Dam is classified as unknown in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 26.8% in VA)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage320 acre-ft
Normal Storage46 acre-ft
NID IDVA760004

Safety Information

Unknown

Hazard potential has not been determined.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

City of Richmond

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Shields Lake Dam?

Upper Shields Lake Dam is classified as Unknown. Hazard potential has not been determined. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Upper Shields Lake Dam?

Upper Shields Lake Dam is owned by City of Richmond (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Upper Shields Lake Dam?

Upper Shields Lake 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 Shields Lake Dam?

Upper Shields Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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.

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.