The Department of Conservation and Recreation today announced the expansion of its dam safety regions, increasing the number of administrative regions from five to six. The change is designed to improve response times, provide more localized technical assistance and enhance the agency’s ability to support dam owners and operators across the commonwealth.
Effective Oct. 15, 2026, the new six-region structure will allow DCR’s Division of Dam Safety to better serve communities with tailored support, regulatory guidance and improved emergency preparedness.
“Our priority is ensuring the safety of Virginians and the infrastructure that protects them,” said DCR Director Nikki Rovner. “This expansion allows us to strengthen our relationships with dam owners and emergency managers at the local level while providing faster, more targeted service.”
The adjustment reflects growing demands on the state’s dam safety program, which currently oversees more than 2,400 regulated dams across Virginia. The new region will be staffed by DCR’s Lead Dam Safety Engineer to manage inspections, compliance reviews and outreach more efficiently.
“By shifting from five to six regions, DCR is proactively addressing the challenges of a growing and aging dam inventory,” said Chief Dam Safety Engineer Andrea Henry, P.E. “This new structure enables us to deliver technical expertise and regulatory support with greater precision and effectiveness.”
Dam owners and local officials are encouraged to reach out to their regional engineer with any questions or assistance needed.
For more information about DCR’s dam safety program and to view the updated regional map, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dsfpmcontx.
