What is the life expectancy of Gathright Dam? Can you provide background on when it was built?
Gathright Dam was not designed and constructed with a specific or implied “life expectancy.” Congress authorized construction of the dam and reservoir in the Flood Control Act of 1946, to provide protection of industrial, commercial and residential properties along the Jackson and James Rivers, with immediate impact on Covington, Va., located about 19 miles downstream. Construction of the dam began in 1974 and was completed in 1979. Impoundment of water began in December 1979 and was completed in April 1982.
