Bath County P S Lower Reservoir - Lower Dam
Bath County P S Lower Reservoir - Lower Dam is an earth dam located in Bath County, Virginia, built in 1984. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Bath County P S Lower Reservoir - Lower Dam
The primary purpose of Bath County P S Lower Reservoir - Lower Dam 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 Virginia Electric And Power Company (public utility). It impounds the Back Creek near Mountain Grove.
The dam stands 170 feet tall and stretches 2,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 555 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 30,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 73 square miles. Completed in 1984, the structure is 42 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 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 08/05/2025.
At 170 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 | Bath |
| Nearest City | Mountain Grove |
| River/Stream | Back Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.19730, -79.80680 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 170 ft |
| Dam Height | 135 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1984 (42 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 30,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 30,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 555 acres |
| Drainage Area | 73 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 60,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Virginia Electric and Power Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/05/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA017007 |
| Federal ID | VA017007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |