Willis River Dam #7
Willis River Dam #7 is an earth dam located in Buckingham County, Virginia, built in 1969. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Willis River Dam #7
The primary purpose of Willis River Dam #7 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Peter Francisco Soil And Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Hatcher Creek.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 38 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,251 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/25/2022.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Buckingham |
| River/Stream | Hatcher Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.55520, -78.35000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,251 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,251 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 127 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 38 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/25/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA029009 |
| Federal ID | VA029009 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |