Radford
Radford is a buttress dam located in Montgomery County, Virginia, built in 1934. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Radford
The primary purpose of Radford is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Radford City Of (local government). It impounds the Little River near Radford.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 293 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 350 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 351 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/23/2021.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% 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 | Montgomery |
| Nearest City | Radford |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 37.07814, -80.57267 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 293 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 350 acres |
| Drainage Area | 351 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,590 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Radford City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/23/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA121001 |
| Federal ID | VA121001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |