Watershed Dams

Piedmont SWCD is responsible for the maintenance and safety of 14 dams in Prince Edward County. These dams were designed for watershed protection and flood prevention. Nine are in the Buffalo Creek watershed and five are in the Bush River watershed. The Buffalo watershed dams were constructed between 1961 and 1967. The Bush watershed dams were constructed later, between 1985 and 2001.

All 14 dams are currently low hazard and are regulated through the Virginia DCR Division of Dam Safety. Piedmont SWCD and NRCS staff inspect these dams annually in addition to performing routine mainenance including bush-hogging, tree removal, and operation of gate valves. Dams are also inspected after major storm events and repaired if necessary. Every dam has an engineer certified inspection every six years.