Whippoorwill Dam

TR-Big Branch· Rappahannock, Virginia· Earth· 34 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Whippoorwill 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	34 ft (taller than 78.3% in VA)
Dam Length	590 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	439 acre-ft
Normal Storage	269 acre-ft

Surface Area	22 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	VA157002

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 24, 2014

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Whippoorwill Pond, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Rappahannock Dam #11

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 22 ft

Margolis Dam

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Rappahannock Dam #3

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 28 ft

Rappahannock Dam #22

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 47 ft

Rappahannock Dam #13

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Rappahannock Dam #23

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 31 ft

Rappahannock Dam #15

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 36 ft

Rappahannock Dam #2

Rappahannock, VA

Unknown 31 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whippoorwill Dam?

Whippoorwill 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 Whippoorwill Dam?

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

What is the primary purpose of Whippoorwill Dam?

Whippoorwill 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 Whippoorwill Dam?

Whippoorwill Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Whippoorwill Dam last inspected?

Whippoorwill Dam was last inspected on October 24, 2014. 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.