Every day, thousands of cars travel along Route 234 to get from one end of Prince William County to the other. Crossing the Occoquan River near Manassas, one can see the Lake Jackson Dam standing steady as it has for over 90 years.

Residents who live in the single-family homes that make up the Lake Jackson community get to enjoy the lake the dam created for both recreation and aesthetic value. While many people in the area appreciate waterfront living, the rising costs to maintain the dam, the safety risk it poses have county officials concerned.