Dam Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Alleghany County, Virginia. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2026. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Alleghany County, Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Virginia DNR, last sampled 2026-07-06. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 12.1 ft. Phosphorus level: 10 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.1 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 10 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Fishing Dam Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Alleghany County
Nearby Lakes in Alleghany County
Explore Dam Lake across LakeGrade
More Virginia Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Virginia
Bath County · Clarity: 9.2 ft
Rockbridge County · Clarity: 13.9 ft
Rockbridge County · Excellent
Botetourt County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Amherst County · Clarity: 7.5 ft
Augusta County · Clarity: 9.7 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Virginia
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2026-07-06
Monitoring stations: 1