Upper North River #77
Upper North River #77 is an earth dam located in Augusta County, Virginia, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper North River #77
The primary purpose of Upper North River #77 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 Headwaters Soil And Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Little River.
The dam stands 107 feet tall and stretches 705 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,970 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1966, 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. 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 04/01/2022.
At 107 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Augusta |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 38.39380, -79.16020 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 107 ft |
| Dam Height | 107 ft |
| Dam Length | 705 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,970 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,970 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/01/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA015007 |
| Federal ID | VA015007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |