{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-607.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-607.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-607.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-607.html"}],"law_id":71315,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71315,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607","catch_line":"Safety inspections","history":"1982, c. 583, \u00a7 62.1-115.4; 1986, c. 209; 1988, c. 891; 2000, c. 14; 2025, cc. 228, 241.","full_text":"No one shall maintain a dam which unreasonably threatens the life or property of another. The Board shall cause safety inspections to be made of impounding structures on such schedule as it deems appropriate. The time of the initial inspection and the frequency of reinspection shall depend on such factors as the condition of the structure and its size, type, location and downstream hazard potential. The owners of dams found to have deficiencies which could threaten life or property if not corrected shall take the corrective actions needed to remove such deficiencies within a reasonable time. All safety inspections shall be conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Each report shall bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection. If required by the Board in response to actions taken pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-608 or 10.1-609, each safety inspection report shall include any identified corrective actions, include a plan to implement such actions, and bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection.\n\t\tThe Board shall be responsible for the inspection and reinspection of flood control dams where the maintenance and operation of the dam is the responsibility of a soil and water conservation district and where the permit for operation of the impounding structure is held by such a district.\n\t\tIn response to any action taken pursuant to this section and \u00a7 10.1-608, the dam owner shall be responsible for ensuring that (i) the safety inspection of the impounding structure is conducted consistent with this section within 30 days of action being taken and (ii) the safety inspection report is provided to the Department within 30 days after the safety inspection is completed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":257074,"text":"No one shall maintain a dam which unreasonably threatens the life or property of another. The Board shall cause safety inspections to be made of impounding structures on such schedule as it deems appropriate. The time of the initial inspection and the frequency of reinspection shall depend on such factors as the condition of the structure and its size, type, location and downstream hazard potential. The owners of dams found to have deficiencies which could threaten life or property if not corrected shall take the corrective actions needed to remove such deficiencies within a reasonable time. All safety inspections shall be conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Each report shall bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection. If required by the Board in response to actions taken pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-608 or 10.1-609, each safety inspection report shall include any identified corrective actions, include a plan to implement such actions, and bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection.\n\t\tThe Board shall be responsible for the inspection and reinspection of flood control dams where the maintenance and operation of the dam is the responsibility of a soil and water conservation district and where the permit for operation of the impounding structure is held by such a district.\n\t\tIn response to any action taken pursuant to this section and \u00a7 10.1-608, the dam owner shall be responsible for ensuring that (i) the safety inspection of the impounding structure is conducted consistent with this section within 30 days of action being taken and (ii) the safety inspection report is provided to the Department within 30 days after the safety inspection is completed.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12975,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dam Safety Act","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12894,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":144445,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12975,"identifier":"2","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12894,"edition_id":1,"name":"Flood Protection and Dam Safety","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":144271,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12894,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12893,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":143315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12893,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":58286,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-604","catch_line":" Definitions","url":"\/10.1-604\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-604","metadata":false},{"id":54062,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-604.1","catch_line":"Determination of hazard potential classification","url":"\/10.1-604.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-604.1","metadata":false},{"id":56867,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605","catch_line":"Promulgation of regulations by the Board; guidance document","url":"\/10.1-605\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605","metadata":false},{"id":82106,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.1","catch_line":"Delegation of powers and duties","url":"\/10.1-605.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.1","metadata":false},{"id":73336,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.2","catch_line":"Certain regulations affecting impounding structures","url":"\/10.1-605.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.2","metadata":false},{"id":58996,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.3","catch_line":"General permit for certain impounding structures","url":"\/10.1-605.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.3","metadata":false},{"id":69664,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606","catch_line":"Local advisory committee","url":"\/10.1-606\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606","metadata":false},{"id":54840,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-606.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.1","metadata":false},{"id":79423,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.2","catch_line":"Mapping of dam break inundation zones","url":"\/10.1-606.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.2","metadata":false},{"id":81394,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.3","catch_line":"Requirement for development in dam break inundation zones","url":"\/10.1-606.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.3","metadata":false},{"id":87482,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.4","catch_line":"Notice to the public","url":"\/10.1-606.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.4","metadata":false},{"id":71315,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607","catch_line":"Safety inspections","url":"\/10.1-607\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607","metadata":false},{"id":68429,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607.1","catch_line":"Criteria for designating a dam as unsafe","url":"\/10.1-607.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607.1","metadata":false},{"id":77589,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-608","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger","url":"\/10.1-608\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-608","metadata":false},{"id":79239,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting nonimminent danger; civil penalty","url":"\/10.1-609\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609","metadata":false},{"id":80418,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.1","catch_line":"Installation of IFLOWS gauges","url":"\/10.1-609.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.1","metadata":false},{"id":83779,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.2","catch_line":"Prohibited vegetation; certain wetland vegetation allowed","url":"\/10.1-609.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.2","metadata":false},{"id":60640,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-610","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/10.1-610\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-610","metadata":false},{"id":65885,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-610.1","catch_line":"Monitoring progress of work","url":"\/10.1-610.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-610.1","metadata":false},{"id":63179,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-611","catch_line":"Dam safety coordination","url":"\/10.1-611\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-611","metadata":false},{"id":54419,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-611.1","catch_line":"Soil and Water Conservation District Dam Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation Fund established; Department to manage; Board to expend moneys; regulations","url":"\/10.1-611.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-611.1","metadata":false},{"id":64937,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-612","catch_line":"Technical Advisory Committee","url":"\/10.1-612\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-612","metadata":false},{"id":67844,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-612.1","catch_line":"Temporary stop work order; hearing; injunctive relief","url":"\/10.1-612.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-612.1","metadata":false},{"id":72084,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613","catch_line":"Enforcement","url":"\/10.1-613\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613","metadata":false},{"id":67195,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.1","catch_line":"Criminal penalties","url":"\/10.1-613.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.1","metadata":false},{"id":73441,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-613.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.2","metadata":false},{"id":80653,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.3","catch_line":"No liability of Board, Department, employees, or agents","url":"\/10.1-613.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.3","metadata":false},{"id":58273,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.4","catch_line":"Liability of owner or operator","url":"\/10.1-613.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.4","metadata":false},{"id":79781,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.5","catch_line":"Program administration fees; establishment of Dam Safety Administrative Fund","url":"\/10.1-613.5\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.5","metadata":false},{"id":77193,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.6","catch_line":"Negotiated settlement agreements","url":"\/10.1-613.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87482,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.4","catch_line":"Notice to the public","url":"\/10.1-606.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.4","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68429,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607.1","catch_line":"Criteria for designating a dam as unsafe","url":"\/10.1-607.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-607\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1982. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 583 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1982 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1986, chapter 209; in 1988, chapter 891; in 2000, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0014\">14<\/a>; in 2025, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?251+ful+CHAP0228\">228<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?251+ful+CHAP0241\">241<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61461,"section_number":"10.1-603.16","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-603.16\/"},{"id":86471,"section_number":"10.1-603.19","catch_line":"Purposes for which Fund is to be used; Authority to set terms and conditions of loans","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-603.19\/"},{"id":58996,"section_number":"10.1-605.3","catch_line":"General permit for certain impounding structures","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-605.3\/"},{"id":68429,"section_number":"10.1-607.1","catch_line":"Criteria for designating a dam as unsafe","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-607.1\/"},{"id":79239,"section_number":"10.1-609","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting nonimminent danger; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-609\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77589,"section_number":"10.1-608","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-608\/"},{"id":79239,"section_number":"10.1-609","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting nonimminent danger; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-609\/"}],"permalink":{"id":144491,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71315,"identifier":"10.1-607","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607","url":"\/10.1-607\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-607\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607","dublin_core":{"Title":"Safety inspections","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-607","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>No one shall maintain a dam which unreasonably threatens the life or property of another. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall cause safety inspections to be made of <span class=\"dictionary\">impounding structures<\/span> on such schedule as it deems appropriate. The time of the initial inspection and the frequency of reinspection shall depend on such factors as the condition of the structure and its size, type, location and downstream hazard potential. The <span class=\"dictionary\">owners<\/span> of dams found to have deficiencies which could threaten life or property if not corrected shall take the corrective actions needed to remove such deficiencies within a reasonable time. All safety inspections shall be conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Each report shall bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection. If required by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> in response to actions taken pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger\" href=\"\/10.1-608\/\">10.1-608<\/a> or <a class=\"law\" title=\"Unsafe dams presenting nonimminent danger; civil penalty\" href=\"\/10.1-609\/\">10.1-609<\/a>, each safety inspection report shall include any identified corrective actions, include a plan to implement such actions, and bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional engineer responsible for the inspection.\n\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall be responsible for the inspection and reinspection of flood control dams where the maintenance and operation of the dam is the responsibility of a soil and water conservation district and where the permit for operation of the <span class=\"dictionary\">impounding structure<\/span> is held by such a district.\n\t\tIn response to any action taken pursuant to this section and \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger\" href=\"\/10.1-608\/\">10.1-608<\/a>, the dam <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> shall be responsible for ensuring that (i) the safety inspection of the <span class=\"dictionary\">impounding structure<\/span> is conducted consistent with this section within 30 days of action being taken and (ii) the safety inspection report is provided to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> within 30 days after the safety inspection is completed.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSAFETY INSPECTIONS (\u00a7 10.1-607)\n\nNo one shall maintain a dam which unreasonably threatens the life or property of\nanother. The Board shall cause safety inspections to be made of impounding\nstructures on such schedule as it deems appropriate. The time of the initial\ninspection and the frequency of reinspection shall depend on such factors as the\ncondition of the structure and its size, type, location and downstream hazard\npotential. The owners of dams found to have deficiencies which could threaten\nlife or property if not corrected shall take the corrective actions needed to\nremove such deficiencies within a reasonable time. All safety inspections shall\nbe conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.\nEach report shall bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional\nengineer responsible for the inspection. If required by the Board in response to\nactions taken pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-608 or 10.1-609, each safety inspection report\nshall include any identified corrective actions, include a plan to implement\nsuch actions, and bear the seal and signature of the licensed professional\nengineer responsible for the inspection.\n\t\tThe Board shall be responsible for the inspection and reinspection of flood\ncontrol dams where the maintenance and operation of the dam is the\nresponsibility of a soil and water conservation district and where the permit\nfor operation of the impounding structure is held by such a district.\n\t\tIn response to any action taken pursuant to this section and \u00a7 10.1-608, the\ndam owner shall be responsible for ensuring that (i) the safety inspection of\nthe impounding structure is conducted consistent with this section within 30\ndays of action being taken and (ii) the safety inspection report is provided to\nthe Department within 30 days after the safety inspection is completed.\n\nHISTORY: 1982, c. 583, \u00a7 62.1-115.4; 1986, c. 209; 1988, c. 891; 2000, c. 14;\n2025, cc. 228, 241.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}