Little River Dam #4 is an earth dam located in Louisa County, Virginia, built in 1966. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 780 ft long, taller than 74% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Little River Dam #4
The primary purpose of Little River Dam #4 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 Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Hawkins Creek.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 780 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 21 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,699 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1966, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 04/28/2020.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Louisa |
| River/Stream | Hawkins Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.89950, -77.78920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 780 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,699 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,699 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 21 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/28/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA109002 |
| Federal ID | VA109002 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |