Wilderness Dam

WILDERNESS RUN· Spotsylvania, Virginia· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Wilderness 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 28 ft (taller than 60.8% in VA)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage720 acre-ft
Normal Storage303 acre-ft
Surface Area29 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
NID IDVA177007

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, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Lake Wilderness Property Owners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Lee Lake Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 19 ft

Grant Lake Dam

Spotsylvania, VA

Low Hazard 29 ft

Keaton'S Run Dam

Orange, VA

High Hazard 38 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #3

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 23 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #5

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 17 ft

Veterans Memorial Dam

Orange, VA

High Hazard 66 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #2

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 27 ft

Spotsylvania County Dam #1

Spotsylvania, VA

Unknown 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wilderness Dam?

Wilderness 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 Wilderness Dam?

Wilderness Dam is owned by Lake Wilderness Property Owners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Wilderness Dam?

Wilderness 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 Wilderness Dam?

Wilderness Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Wilderness Dam last inspected?

Wilderness Dam was last inspected on April 5, 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.