Dam Safety Emergency Exercise
On October 28, 2025, Henrico County conducted a Dam Safety Emergency Exercise. This exercise is part of our ongoing effort to keep our community safe and ready. County staff are practicing how to respond in the unlikely event of a dam failure or other flooding emergency.
As part of this exercise, properties within the dam-break inundation zone for Echo Lake Dam received door hanger notices, and community members may have seen an increased presence of Henrico County staff in the area.
By running these exercises, Henrico County ensures that communication, response, and recovery plans work smoothly in the event of any future dam emergency.
Staying Flood Ready, Together
Even though this activity is only an exercise, you can take steps now to protect yourself and your property from flooding.
Sign Up for Henrico Alert
Stay informed before, during, and after storms from our Emergency Management team by signing up for the Henrico County Community Emergency Notification system. Receive critical notifications like evacuation orders and shelter-in-place guidance.
Check Local Rain and Stream Gages
Know what’s happening at the dam. Henrico County partners with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor rainfall and water levels countywide, including precipitation and water level gages at every county-owned dam. This gage network helps the County manage water levels and keep an eye on potential flooding.
Gage information is available to the public online, so you can check it anytime. You can also sign up to receive notifications if gages reach a certain level using USGS’s WaterAlert. Use the buttons below to access gage date for each of the County’s dams.
Get Flood Insurance
Flood insurance offers peace of mind and financial protection if flooding occurs, including from a dam break. Here is what you need to know about flood insurance:
- Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
- More than 40% of NFIP flood claims come from outside high-risk areas.
- Policies typically take 30 days to go into effect, so planning ahead matters.
- Flood insurance is required for government-backed mortgages in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and is recommended for all.
- Henrico County participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS), which rewards proactive floodplain management. Eligible policyholders will receive a 25% discount on their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums.
Learn more and get a quote on flood insurance at floodsmart.gov.
Create an Emergency Kit and Plan
In the rare case of a dam failure, Henrico County wants to make sure you and your family are prepared. Take time today to build an emergency kit with survival basics like water, food, a radio, and warm clothing as well as specific items your family might need, like medications, important paperwork, or pet supplies. You should also make a plan with your loved ones that includes how to communicate and where to go if an emergency happens.
Visit the Henrico Emergency Preparation site to learn more.
Do You Live Near a Dam or in a Dam Break Inundation Zone (DBIZ)?
- Open the Dam Safety map in your internet browser.
- Turn layers on or off. DBIZs are not shown by default. In the top right corner, click the button that looks like three squares stacked on one another. Check the box next to VFRIS Dam Break Inundation Zones to turn on this layer. For a simplified view, uncheck the boxes next to the other layers to turn off flood zone information.
- Access the legend. In the top right corner, click the button with three horizontal lines. The legend will show you what the different symbols on the map indicate. DBIZs will appear as colored lines on the map. Dams are shown as light green icons.
- Find your property. Search the address in the top left corner of the map to see if it is in a DBIZ or near a dam.
Thank You for Being Part of a Prepared Community
Your awareness and readiness make a difference. Together, we can reduce flood risk and keep Henrico County safe.
