Virginia announces $5 million grant program to improve dam safety and protect communities from flooding risks

Richmond, Virginia – Dam owners across Virginia can now apply for matching grants from the Virginia Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund to improve dam safety and bolster flood resilience. A total of $5 million is available to support critical dam safety projects throughout the commonwealth.

Managed by the Virginia Resources Authority on behalf of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), this funding aims to help dam owners take essential steps to safeguard lives, property, and local communities.

“These grants will assist dam owners to take necessary steps to safeguard lives, property, and increase local communities’ flood resilience. Dam safety is key to protecting public safety and we encourage all eligible dam owners to apply,” said DCR Director Matthew Wells.

Dam Safety Responsibility and Grant Details

In Virginia, dam owners bear the responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of their dams and are accountable for any downstream damage in the event of a failure. The grant program provides critical funding to support the safe upkeep and improvement of dams.

The grant program requires a 50% match from applicants, and all grants are reimbursable. The maximum amount awarded per grant will depend on the total requested funds, application scores, and available funding.

The program supports three categories of projects:

• Type 1 Projects: Up to $1 million is available for initial engineering studies for dams classified as having Unknown Hazard potential.
• Type 2 Projects: Funding is available for plans, specifications, engineering studies, and instrumentation for dam safety.
• Type 3 Projects: Supports dam repairs, safety modifications, or dam removal.

Application Process

Dam owners, including local governments and private entities, are encouraged to apply. Requests must be submitted by 4 p.m., February 28, 2025.

To access the grant manual and learn more, visit Virginia DCR’s website. For further inquiries, applicants can contact their regional dam safety engineer or email [email protected].

This initiative represents a critical step toward ensuring the safety of Virginia’s dams and enhancing the resilience of communities against flooding risks.