Mink Creek Dam
Mink Creek Dam is an earth dam located in Albemarle County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Mink Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Mink Creek 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 Town Of Scottsville (local government). It impounds the Mink Creek.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 286 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 226 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 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 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 11/08/2022.
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 | Albemarle |
| River/Stream | Mink Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.80220, -78.49420 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 286 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 226 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 226 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Town of Scottsville |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA003173 |
| Federal ID | VA003173 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |