Williams Island Dam

JAMES RIVER· Richmond City, Virginia· Built 1905· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Unknown Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Williams Island Dam is classified as unknown in Virginia. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.1% in VA)
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage280 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
NID IDVA760002

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 Williams Island Dam?

Williams Island 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 Williams Island Dam?

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

When was Williams Island Dam built?

Williams Island Dam was completed in 1905, making it 121 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Williams Island Dam?

Williams Island Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Williams Island Dam?

Williams Island Dam has a dam height of 7 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.