Philpott Dam

Philpott Dam is located about 44 miles (71 km) above the mouth of the Smith River.

The spillway has a crest elevation of 985 feet, msl and a total length of 120 feet (37 m) The power house has two vertical shaft Francis turbines rated at 6700 kW each and a smaller unit rated at 600 kW.

[2] The dam is also a noted tourist and recreational area, and a place of great beauty.

Jessamine Shumate was a native of Henry County, Virginia, who painted the construction during the 1950s.

Sharing the paintings with the public is a fitting tribute to her work and a good way for people to get a sense of what went into creating the dam.

Photo by the US Army Corps of Engineers depicting Philpott Dam and powerhouse. Philpott Lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen in the background.