Wellesley Dam

HARDINGS BRANCH· Henrico, Virginia· Earth· 29 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wellesley 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	29 ft (taller than 64.7% in VA)
Dam Length	600 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	131 acre-ft
Normal Storage	67 acre-ft

Surface Area	12 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	VA087013

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: April 5, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Henrico County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Barrington Dam

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Wilde Lake Dam

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West Broad Village Dam

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West Creek Dam

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Lake Innsbrook

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Canterbury Dam

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Rivergate Lake Dam

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Cox Road Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wellesley Dam?

Wellesley 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 Wellesley Dam?

Wellesley Dam is owned by Henrico County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Wellesley Dam?

Wellesley 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 Wellesley Dam?

Wellesley Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Wellesley Dam last inspected?

Wellesley Dam was last inspected on April 5, 2023. 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.