Swift Creek Dam

Swift Creek Dam is a gravity dam located in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Swift Creek Dam

The primary purpose of Swift Creek Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Department Of Conservation & Recreation - Division Of State Parks (state). It impounds the Swift Creek.

The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 163 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 150 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,564 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 95 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 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 08/27/2020.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateVirginia
CountyChesterfield
River/StreamSwift Creek
Coordinates37.38450, -77.54110

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height31 ft
Dam Height31 ft
Dam Length163 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage7,564 acre-ft
Max Storage7,564 acre-ft
Normal Storage675 acre-ft
Surface Area150 acres
Drainage Area95 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerDepartment of Conservation & Recreation - Division of State Parks
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/27/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDVA041004
Federal IDVA041004
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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