List of dam removals in Virginia

Last updated July 31, 2025

This is a list of dams in Virginia that have been removed as physical impediments to free-flowing rivers or streams.

Removals by watershed

Rappahannock River

Embrey Dam was a 770 ft (230 m) long hydroelectric dam on the Rappahannock River dating to 1910. It was demolished on February 23, 2004, by divers from an engineering detachment at Fort Eustis using 600 lb (270 kg) of explosives.^[1] The aim of removal was to re-open miles of spawning grounds to aid populations of American Shad, herring, catadromous American eel, and other species.^[2] The historical character of the Ambursen-type reinforced concrete structure required a parallel documentation and (partial) preservation project by industrial archeologists.^[3] In 2008 longtime U.S. Senator from Virginia John Warner described the removal of Embrey Dam as the "proudest achievement in his legislative career."^[4]

Completed removals

Dam^[5]	Height	Year removed	Location	Watercourse	Watershed
Adney Gap Pond Dam	12 ft (3.7 m)	1984
Harvell Dam	9 ft (2.7 m)	2014	Petersburg 37°14′01″N77°24′47″W / 37.2336°N 77.4131°W / 37.2336; -77.4131 (Harvell Dam)	Appomattox River	Appomattox River
Soldiers Pond Dam (Sykes Dam)	22 ft (6.7 m)	2002	Fort Lee 37°13′36″N77°21′18″W / 37.2266°N 77.355°W / 37.2266; -77.355 (Soldiers Pond Dam (Sykes Dam))	Harrison Creek	Appomattox River
Dominion Virginia City Dam No. 1 (Curley Hollow Landfill; Leachate Pond Dam)	180 ft (55 m)		St. Paul 36°55′37″N82°20′36″W / 36.9269°N 82.3433°W / 36.9269; -82.3433	Meade Creek	Clinch River
Brantley Dam	5 ft (1.5 m)	2011	Danville 36°34′37″N79°22′40″W / 36.577°N 79.3777°W / 36.577; -79.3777 (Brantley Dam)	Dan River	Dan River
Wilson Dam	12 ft (3.7 m)	2017	Henrico 37°31′44″N77°14′34″W / 37.5289°N 77.2429°W / 37.5289; -77.2429 (Wilson Dam)	Tributary to Chickahominy River	James River
Griggs Dam	18 ft (5.5 m)		Henrico County 37°25′20″N77°18′33″W / 37.4222°N 77.3091°W / 37.4222; -77.3091 (Griggs Dam)	Fourmile Creek
Lake Charles Dam		2010	Charles City 37°19′39″N77°12′12″W / 37.3274°N 77.2033°W / 37.3274; -77.2033 (Lake Charles Dam)	Kimages Creek
Douthat North Recreational Dam		2007	Alleghany County 37°51′16″N79°48′38″W / 37.8544°N 79.8106°W / 37.8544; -79.8106 (Douthat North Recreational Dam)	Wilson Creek
Douthat South Recreational Dam		2007	Alleghany County 37°51′10″N79°48′30″W / 37.8527°N 79.8083°W / 37.8527; -79.8083 (Douthat South Recreational Dam)
Wilson Creek Dam	9 ft (2.7 m)	2022	Bath County 37°56′38″N79°47′24″W / 37.944°N 79.79°W / 37.944; -79.79 (Wilson Creek Dam)
Jordan's Point Dam	10 ft (3.0 m)	2019	Rockbridge County 37°47′36″N79°25′42″W / 37.7933°N 79.4284°W / 37.7933; -79.4284 (Jordan's Point Dam)	Maury River
McIver Dam	23 ft (7.0 m)	2022	Fluvanna County 37°43′35″N78°17′14″W / 37.7263°N 78.2871°W / 37.7263; -78.2871 (McIver Dam)	Bear Garden Creek
Quinn Dam		2007	Amherst County and Nelson County 37°39′14″N78°57′36″W / 37.654°N 78.9599°W / 37.654; -78.9599 (Quinn Dam)	Tye River
Picnic Area Dam	5 ft (1.5 m)	1984	Manassas National Battlefield Park 38°48′19″N77°34′20″W / 38.8052°N 77.5722°W / 38.8052; -77.5722 (Picnic Area Dam)	Youngs Branch	Occoquan River
Fredricksburg & Spotsylvania Dam #6 (Ashley Farm Pond)	4 ft (1.2 m)		Fredericksburg 38°18′17″N77°37′16″W / 38.3048°N 77.621°W / 38.3048; -77.621	Tributary to Ninemile Run	Rappahannock River
Embrey Dam	22 ft (6.7 m)	2004	Fredericksburg 38°19′25″N77°29′32″W / 38.3235°N 77.4921°W / 38.3235; -77.4921 (Embrey Dam)	Rappahannock River
Poclain Dam	2 ft (0.61 m)	1997	Fredericksburg 38°15′15″N77°25′54″W / 38.2541°N 77.4317°W / 38.2541; -77.4317 (Poclain Dam)	Tributary to Rappahannock River
Fredricksburgh Milstead A Dam	5 ft (1.5 m)	2000	Fredericksburg 38°14′45″N77°26′15″W / 38.2458°N 77.4376°W / 38.2458; -77.4376 (Fredricksburgh Milstead A Dam)	Tributary to Rappahannock River
Fredricksburgh Milstead B Dam	15 ft (4.6 m)	2000	Fredericksburg 38°14′45″N77°26′12″W / 38.2458°N 77.4366°W / 38.2458; -77.4366 (Fredricksburgh Milstead B Dam)	Tributary to Rappahannock River
Fletchers Mill Dam	4 ft (1.2 m)	2010	Sperryville 38°39′29″N78°13′35″W / 38.6581°N 78.2265°W / 38.6581; -78.2265 (Fletchers Mill Dam)	Thornton River
Monumental Mills Dam	10 ft (3.0 m)	2016	Culpeper County 38°36′05″N78°00′27″W / 38.6013°N 78.0076°W / 38.6013; -78.0076 (Monumental Mills Dam)	Hazel River
Spotswood Drive Dam	35 ft (11 m)	2022	Orange County 38°22′43″N77°46′50″W / 38.3785°N 77.7805°W / 38.3785; -77.7805 (Spotswood Drive Dam)	Fields Run	Rapidan River
Chancellorsville Brygadier A Dam	6 ft (1.8 m)	2000	Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°18′49″N77°40′48″W / 38.3135°N 77.68°W / 38.3135; -77.68 (Chancellorsville Brygadier A Dam)	Tributary to Hunting Run
Chancellorsville Brygadier B Dam	6 ft (1.8 m)	2000	Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°18′59″N77°40′48″W / 38.3164°N 77.6799°W / 38.3164; -77.6799 (Chancellorsville Brygadier B Dam)	Tributary to Hunting Run
Ashton Dam #1	25 ft (7.6 m)	2008	Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°18′49″N77°40′31″W / 38.3136°N 77.6753°W / 38.3136; -77.6753 (Ashton Dam #1)	Tributary to Hunting Run
Ashton Dam #2	4 ft (1.2 m)	2008	Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°18′53″N77°40′36″W / 38.3147°N 77.6768°W / 38.3147; -77.6768 (Ashton Dam #2)	Tributary to Hunting Run
Fredricksburg & Spotsylvania Dam #2 (Clark Farm Pond #3)	5 ft (1.5 m)		Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°17′34″N77°45′13″W / 38.2927°N 77.7535°W / 38.2927; -77.7535	Tributary to Wilderness Run
Hightop Mountain Dam		2006	Stanardsville 38°18′49″N78°33′35″W / 38.3136°N 78.5596°W / 38.3136; -78.5596 (Hightop Mountain Dam)	Haneytown Creek	Rivanna River
Liberty Hall Dam		2020	Albemarle County 38°06′45″N78°33′58″W / 38.1124°N 78.566°W / 38.1124; -78.566 (Liberty Hall Dam)	Tributary to Mechums River
Moores Creek Dam	5 ft (1.5 m)	2017	Charlottesville 38°00′54″N78°31′08″W / 38.015°N 78.519°W / 38.015; -78.519 (Moores Creek Dam)	Moores Creek
Woolen Mills Dam		2007	Charlottesville 38°01′15″N78°27′16″W / 38.0208°N 78.4544°W / 38.0208; -78.4544 (Woolen Mills Dam)	Rivanna River
River Run Dam		2020	Charlottesville 38°03′22″N78°27′11″W / 38.056°N 78.453°W / 38.056; -78.453 (River Run Dam)	Rivanna River
Altice Mill Dam	6 ft (1.8 m)	2022	Franklin County 37°02′35″N79°51′55″W / 37.0431°N 79.8654°W / 37.0431; -79.8654 (Altice Mill Dam)	Blackwater River	Roanoke River
New London Dam #1	28 ft (8.5 m)	2022	Bedford County 37°16′09″N79°19′56″W / 37.2692°N 79.3322°W / 37.2692; -79.3322 (New London Dam #1)	Orrix Creek
New London Dam #2	29 ft (8.8 m)	2022	Bedford County 37°15′54″N79°20′03″W / 37.265°N 79.3341°W / 37.265; -79.3341 (New London Dam #2)	Orrix Creek
Power Dam	25 ft (7.6 m)	2016	Franklin County 36°59′44″N79°51′36″W / 36.9955°N 79.8599°W / 36.9955; -79.8599 (Power Dam)	Pigg River
Veteran's Memorial Park Dam	6 ft (1.8 m)	2012	Rocky Mount 36°59′05″N79°53′17″W / 36.9846°N 79.8881°W / 36.9846; -79.8881 (Veteran's Memorial Park Dam)	Pigg River
Wasena Park Dam	5 ft (1.5 m)	2009	Roanoke 37°16′00″N79°57′50″W / 37.2666°N 79.964°W / 37.2666; -79.964 (Wasena Park Dam)	Roanoke River
Riverton Dam	8 ft (2.4 m)	2010	Front Royal 38°56′57″N78°11′54″W / 38.9492°N 78.1984°W / 38.9492; -78.1984 (Riverton Dam)	North Fork Shenandoah River	Shenandoah River
Passage Creek Dam	4.5 ft (1.4 m)	2017	Page County 38°42′21″N78°33′56″W / 38.7058°N 78.5655°W / 38.7058; -78.5655 (Passage Creek Dam)	Passage Creek
Brews Mill Dam	6 ft (1.8 m)	2015	Augusta County 38°11′32″N78°56′15″W / 38.1921°N 78.9374°W / 38.1921; -78.9374 (Brews Mill Dam)	Christians Creek
Knightly Dam		2004	Mt. Sidney 38°13′51″N78°55′39″W / 38.2308°N 78.9276°W / 38.2308; -78.9276 (Knightly Dam)	Middle River
Mossy Creek Dam	13 ft (4.0 m)	2013	Augusta County 38°21′29″N79°01′49″W / 38.3581°N 79.0304°W / 38.3581; -79.0304 (Mossy Creek Dam)	Mossy Creek
Rockland Dam	15 ft (4.6 m)	2005	Weyers Cave 38°18′22″N78°53′42″W / 38.3061°N 78.895°W / 38.3061; -78.895 (Rockland Dam)	North River
McGaheysville Dam		2004	Harrisonburg 38°20′14″N78°43′44″W / 38.3371°N 78.7288°W / 38.3371; -78.7288 (McGaheysville Dam)	South Fork Shenandoah River
DuPont Dam	2 ft (0.61 m)	2011	Waynesboro 38°03′34″N78°53′31″W / 38.0594°N 78.8919°W / 38.0594; -78.8919 (DuPont Dam)	South River
Ramworks Dam (Rife Loth Dam)	10 ft (3.0 m)	2011	Waynesboro 38°03′35″N78°53′58″W / 38.0598°N 78.8995°W / 38.0598; -78.8995 (Ramworks Dam (Rife Loth Dam))	South River
Marion Ice Plant Dam	12 ft (3.7 m)	2015	Marion 36°49′52″N81°31′41″W / 36.831°N 81.528°W / 36.831; -81.528 (Marion Ice Plant Dam)	Middle Fork Holston River	South Fork Holston River
Fredricksburg & Spotsylvania Dam #5 (Fariview Farm Pond)	5 ft (1.5 m)		Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°18′02″N77°38′14″W / 38.3006°N 77.6373°W / 38.3006; -77.6373	Tributary to Ni River	York River
Fredricksburgh & Spotsylvania Dam #3	5 ft (1.5 m)		Spotsylvania Courthouse 38°17′11″N77°44′22″W / 38.2863°N 77.7395°W / 38.2863; -77.7395	Greenfield Creek
Cumberland Marsh Dam		2011	New Kent 37°32′45″N76°59′12″W / 37.5457°N 76.9866°W / 37.5457; -76.9866 (Cumberland Marsh Dam)	Pamunkey River

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References

↑ "Dams and Hydropower". Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
↑ "Embrey Dam just a memory". Fredericksburg.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
↑ "dead link" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
↑ Dennen, Rusty (September 23, 2008). "Rapids to be named for John Warner". Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.
↑ "American Rivers Dam Removal Database". Figshare . American Rivers. February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.

External links

Media related to Removed dams in Virginia at Wikimedia Commons

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[1] "Dams and Hydropower". Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.

[2] "Embrey Dam just a memory". Fredericksburg.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2012.

[3] "dead link" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.

[4] Dennen, Rusty (September 23, 2008). "Rapids to be named for John Warner". Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.

[ardrd-5] "American Rivers Dam Removal Database". Figshare . American Rivers. February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.

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