Warrenton Dam
Warrenton Dam is a buttress dam located in Fauquier County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Warrenton Dam
The primary purpose of Warrenton 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 Town Of Warrenton (local government). It impounds the Cedar Run.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 1,025 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 592 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/19/2023.
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 | Fauquier |
| River/Stream | Cedar Run |
| Coordinates | 38.74180, -77.78900 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,025 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 592 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 592 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 380 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Warrenton |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/19/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA061001 |
| Federal ID | VA061001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |