John H. Kerr Dam - Saddle Dike 3
John H. Kerr Dam - Saddle Dike 3 is an earth dam located in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, built in 1952. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About John H. Kerr Dam - Saddle Dike 3
The primary purpose of John H. Kerr Dam - Saddle Dike 3 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 Roanoke near Boydton.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 2,340 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 48,900 acres, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,800 square miles. Completed in 1952, 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 04/20/2023.
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 | Mecklenburg |
| Nearest City | Boydton |
| River/Stream | Roanoke |
| Coordinates | 36.59000, -78.31500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,340 ft |
| Year Completed | 1952 (74 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| Surface Area | 48,900 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7,800 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Wilmington District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 04/20/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA117001 |
| Federal ID | VA117001S003 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |