RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide about $19 million for three dam rehabilitation projects in Virginia.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding on Thursday in a news release. The Virginia projects are among about 50 dam rehabilitation projects across the nation that will receive funding this year.

The Virginia projects include rehabilitation of the Mountain Run Dam No. 50 and Mountain Run Dam No. 11 in Culpeper County, and the Upper North River Dam No. 77 in Augusta County. All three dams will be brought up to curtain safety and design criteria.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service also plans to conduct 100 dam assessments in 13 states this year.