Lower Occoquan Dam (Occoquan Reservoir)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Lower Occoquan
NID ID: VA15305
Longitude: -77.28333
Latitude: 38.6895
Map Section: N/A
County: PRINCE WILLIAM, FAIRFAX
River: OCCOQUAN RIVER
State: VA
Nearest City: OCCOQUAN
Distance: 1.00 miles
Owner Name: FAIRFAX COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
Owner Type: Local Government
Dam Designer: AMERICAN WATER WORKS SERVICE COMPANY
Private Dam? No
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1950
Dam Length: 436 feet
Dam Height: 23 feet
Structural Height: 20 feet
Hydraulic Height: 21 feet
Maximum Discharge: 15800 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 310 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 310 acre-feet
Surface Area: 19 acres
Drainage Area: 596 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-02-07
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: DCR
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 390 feet
Volume of Dam: 212100 cubic yards
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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