Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
On May 11, community leaders, engineers and state officials gathered at Blue Ridge Shores in Louisa County to recognize Dam Safety Awareness Day and celebrate a major milestone for the rehabilitation of the Louisa Lake Dam spillway. The event highlighted the importance of dam safety, emergency preparedness and strong partnerships in protecting Virginia communities.
Andrea Henry, chief engineer for DCR, opened the event by reflecting on the history behind Dam Safety Awareness Day. The observance commemorates the tragic Johnstown Flood of 1889 in Pennsylvania, when the failure of the South Fork Dam claimed more than 2,000 lives after days of heavy rainfall and structural weaknesses. Henry noted that the disaster serves as a reminder of why dam safety remains such a critical responsibility today.
The location of the event underlined the importance of investing in dam safety. Lake Louisa Dam, originally built in 1960, catastrophically failed in August 1969 during Hurricane Camille, leading to the death of an Orange County man. Eleven inches of rain fell in a 12-hour period, collapsing the dam and draining the lake. The new dam was completed and dedicated on Memorial Day 1970.
Henry emphasized that while dams provide essential benefits — including flood protection, water supply, recreation and agricultural support — aging infrastructure and growing development near dams increase the need for careful maintenance and modernization. Virginia currently regulates more than 2,400 dams through DCR’s Dam Safety Program, with many structures now decades old and requiring ongoing evaluation and investment.
Henry praised the Blue Ridge Property Owners Association for its leadership in completing the Louisa Lake Dam spillway rehabilitation project, describing the effort as an example of successful collaboration between private dam owners, engineers, state agencies and local stakeholders.
“Dam safety is a shared responsibility,” Henry said. “Our message today is simple: Know your risk, know your role and know the benefits of dam safety.”
She also highlighted recent initiatives by DCR’s Dam Safety Program, including:
Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Adrienne Kotula also addressed attendees, highlighting the Commonwealth’s continued investment in dam safety and flood prevention. She noted that Virginia has awarded more than $27 million through the Dam Safety Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund since 2010, including funding that supported the Louisa Lake Dam project.
Kotula also recognized DCR’s centennial anniversary this year. Originally established in 1926 as the State Commission on Conservation and Development, the agency’s responsibilities expanded in 1982 to include dam safety following passage of the Virginia Dam Safety Act.
“Dams are vital infrastructure in Virginia,” Kotula said. “But they require proactive management and continual upkeep to ensure communities can continue benefiting from the protection, recreation and resources they provide.”
During the ceremony, Henry presented the Virginia Dam Safety Partnership Excellence Award to the Blue Ridge Property Owners Association in recognition of its commitment to public safety and infrastructure stewardship through the successful spillway rehabilitation.
From left to right: Rick Kilcoyne, BRPOA President; Adrienne Kotula, Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources; Andrea Henry, DCR Chief Engineer; Curt Heidel, BRPOA General Manager; Lyndee McInnis, BRPOA 1st Vice President; Brian Schwarting, BRPOA Treasurer
Curt Heidel, general manager of the association, spoke about the challenges and successes of the nearly $6 million project. Regular inspections and safety evaluations identified the need for major upgrades to the aging spillway, prompting the community to take action.
“For our community of about 600 homes, this was a major undertaking,” Heidel said. “What made this project successful wasn’t just engineering — it was communication and trust.”
Heidel credited transparent communication with residents, along with strong partnerships with DCR and Schnabel Engineering, for helping guide the project to completion. The rehabilitated spillway now provides improved long-term safety and compliance for the community and downstream infrastructure.
The event concluded with a reminder that preparedness and awareness remain essential for all Virginians living near dams. DCR encourages residents to learn about dams in their communities, understand evacuation routes and consider flood insurance if they live in a dam-break inundation zone.
As attendees gathered afterward for a spillway tour and engineering discussion with Schnabel Engineering, the message of the day remained clear: Protecting lives, property and waterways requires continued vigilance, investment and partnership across Virginia communities.
See Flickr album of the ceremony: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCTuLy
To learn about dams in your area and your flood risk, visit VFRIS: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/fpvfris
Categories
Dam Safety | Dam Safety and Floodplains
Tags
dams | flood control
