Speights Run Dam
Speights Run Dam is an earth dam located in Suffolk County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Speights Run Dam
The primary purpose of Speights Run 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 City Of Portsmouth Department Of Public Utilities (local government). It impounds the Speights Run - Vahu6 Jl 44 Lake Kelby - Speights Run near Suffolk.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 197 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 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 05/10/2022.
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 | Suffolk |
| Nearest City | Suffolk |
| River/Stream | Speights Run - Vahu6 Jl 44 Lake Kelby - Speights Run |
| Coordinates | 36.71090, -76.62740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 479 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 197 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Portsmouth Department of Public Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA800010 |
| Federal ID | VA800010 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |