Smiths Dam
Smiths Dam is an earth dam located in Albemarle County, Virginia. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Smiths Dam
The primary purpose of Smiths Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Sandy Branch Lot Owners (private). It impounds the Trib. Sandy Branch.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 284 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/16/2022.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Albemarle |
| River/Stream | Trib. Sandy Branch |
| Coordinates | 38.17820, -78.38720 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 284 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 284 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 72 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Sandy Branch Lot Owners |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/16/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA003131 |
| Federal ID | VA003131 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |