Gathright Dam
Gathright Dam is a rockfill dam located in Alleghany County, Virginia, built in 1978. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Gathright Dam
The primary purpose of Gathright 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 - Norfolk District (federal). It impounds the Jackson River near Covington.
The dam stands 257 feet tall and stretches 1,208 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,530 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 421,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 345 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 08/18/2025.
At 257 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 | Alleghany |
| Nearest City | Covington |
| River/Stream | Jackson River |
| Coordinates | 37.95108, -79.95682 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 257 ft |
| Dam Height | 257 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,208 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 421,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 421,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 123,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,530 acres |
| Drainage Area | 345 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Norfolk District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 08/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA005001 |
| Federal ID | VA005001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |