Number of dams with Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates
Measure Last Modified
04-11-2022 04:07 p.m.
Measure Last Published
04-11-2022 04:22 p.m.
Status
Active
Data Source and Calculation
The number of dams that fall under state regulation dramatically increased with the adoption of state legislation effective in 2002. The legislation changed the minimum safety standards of regulated dams to be more aligned with federal dam safety guidance. A further revision to the law and standards occurred in 2008. The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Dam Safety and Floodplain Management maintains an inventory of dams in Virginia. In measuring the results the increase in dams with Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates will be determined from the Dam Safety Database.
Enterprise Priorities and Strategies
Initiative
Priority
Strategy
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Public Safety
Protect our citizens and ensure everyone lives in a safe community.
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Ensure Virginia is prepared to address threats to the safety and security of the Commonwealth and to respond rapidly and efficiently to emergencies.
Associated Service Areas
Service Area Code
Service Area Name
50314
Dam Inventory, Evaluation and Classification and Flood Plain Management
Targets and Baselines
Name
Date
Result
Note
Baseline
None
Short Target 2025
None
None
Long Target 2027
None
None
Results
Year
Result
Note
2007
432
2008
415
2009
379
2010
316
2011
307
2012
320
2013
275
This measure was reported as a percent until July 1, 2012. The number decreased in fiscal year 2013 because dams that had a six-year certificate issued prior to 2008, when a regulatory requirement regarding mapping became effective, no longer qualify for full certification due to either lack of an inundation mapping, lack of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or discovery of issues found during the inundation mapping process (i.e. inadequate spillway, hazard classification change, etc.). The certificates for such dams have expired and the dams may now only qualify for conditional certification. If any dams previously counted as fully compliant do not qualify for conditional certification, then enforcement staff will work with these dam owners as well as those with conditional certification to reach full compliance. The Department expects the number of dams with regular operation and maintenance certificates to increase beginning in fiscal year 2014, as staff that previously worked in the areas of dam safety and stormwater management will now be dedicated 100+ to dam safety enforcement.
2014
299
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and Low Hazard Dams that have been issued a General Permit.
2015
253
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and Low Hazard Dams that have been issued a General Permit.
2016
257
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and Low Hazard Dams that have been issued a General Permit.
2017
278
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and Low Hazard Dams that have been issued a General Permit.
2018
312
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard Dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and low hazard dams that have been issued a General Permit.
2019
293
This number includes all High, Significant and Low Hazard Dams with 6-year Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificates as well as dams with the Special Low Hazard Classification and low hazard dams that have been issued a General Permit.