Beaverdam Lake Dam
Beaverdam Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Gloucester County, Virginia, built in 1990. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Beaverdam Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Beaverdam Lake 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 Gloucester County (local government). It impounds the Beaverdam Creek near Gloucester.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 2,026 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 675 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 20,523 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1990, the structure is 36 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. 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 12/07/2021.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% of dams nationwide.
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 | Gloucester |
| Nearest City | Gloucester |
| River/Stream | Beaverdam Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.43920, -76.54040 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,026 ft |
| Year Completed | 1990 (36 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 20,523 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 20,523 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,150 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 675 acres |
| Drainage Area | 17 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Gloucester County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/07/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA073009 |
| Federal ID | VA073009 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |