Pedlar River Dam
Pedlar River Dam is a gravity dam located in Amherst County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pedlar River Dam
The primary purpose of Pedlar River Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Lynchburg, Department Of Water Resources (local government). It impounds the Pedlar River.
The dam stands 87 feet tall and stretches 312 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 125 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 32 square miles.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 11/09/2021.
At 87 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Virginia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Amherst |
| River/Stream | Pedlar River |
| Coordinates | 37.66930, -79.27760 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 87 ft |
| Dam Height | 87 ft |
| Dam Length | 312 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,170 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 125 acres |
| Drainage Area | 32 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Lynchburg, Department of Water Resources |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/09/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA009005 |
| Federal ID | VA009005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |