Cosby Dam
Cosby Dam is a gravity dam located in Chesterfield County, Virginia, built in 1956. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Cosby Dam
The primary purpose of Cosby Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Watermark Properties, Llc (private). It impounds the Kingsland Creek.
The dam stands 17 feet tall, has a maximum storage capacity of 85 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1956, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam.
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 | Chesterfield |
| River/Stream | Kingsland Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.41500, -77.50190 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 85 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 85 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Watermark Properties, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA041005 |
| Federal ID | VA041005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |