Philpott Dam
Philpott Dam is a gravity dam located in Franklin County, Virginia, built in 1953. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Philpott Dam
The primary purpose of Philpott Dam 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 Usace - Wilmington District (federal). It impounds the Smith River near Bassett.
The dam stands 220 feet tall and stretches 920 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,880 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 318,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 212 square miles. Completed in 1953, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/17/2023.
At 220 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Bassett |
| River/Stream | Smith River |
| Coordinates | 36.78151, -80.02745 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 220 ft |
| Dam Length | 920 ft |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 318,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 318,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 166,190 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,880 acres |
| Drainage Area | 212 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 70,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Wilmington District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 08/17/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA089001 |
| Federal ID | VA089001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |