Lion's Bridge Dam
Lion's Bridge Dam is an earth dam located in Newport News County, Virginia, built in 1931. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Lion's Bridge Dam
The primary purpose of Lion's Bridge Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by The Mariners' Museum And Park (local government). It impounds the Tr-james River.
The dam stands 14 feet tall, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,162 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1931, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Newport News |
| River/Stream | Tr-james River |
| Coordinates | 37.04140, -76.48730 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Year Completed | 1931 (95 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,162 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,162 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 408 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | The Mariners' Museum and Park |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA700004 |
| Federal ID | VA700004 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |