Barcroft Dam
Barcroft Dam is a gravity dam located in Fairfax County, Virginia. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Barcroft Dam
The primary purpose of Barcroft Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Barcroft Watershed Improv. Dist. (local government). It impounds the Holmes Run.
The dam stands 69 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 154 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,020 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 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 04/11/2023.
At 69 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Fairfax |
| River/Stream | Holmes Run |
| Coordinates | 38.84330, -77.14460 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 69 ft |
| Dam Height | 69 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,020 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,020 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 154 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Barcroft Watershed Improv. Dist. |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA059001 |
| Federal ID | VA059001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |