Bellair Farm Dam dam
Bellair Farm Dam
Bellair Farm Dam, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, with a height of 20 feet and a length of 350 feet, holds a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet for tributary Murphy Creek. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the dam is regulated by the state and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with guidelines.
Although the hazard potential of Bellair Farm Dam is currently classified as undetermined and its condition is not rated, the structure meets state permitting and enforcement requirements. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are yet to be determined, indicating a need for further evaluation and preparedness. With its picturesque location and potential for outdoor activities, the dam presents an opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and engage with the natural environment.
Despite its modest size and undetermined risk level, Bellair Farm Dam offers a tranquil setting for recreational enjoyment and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring water infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the careful management and assessment of dams like Bellair Farm Dam are essential to ensure the safety of communities and the preservation of valuable ecosystems. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience can appreciate the role that structures like Bellair Farm Dam play in balancing human recreation with environmental stewardship.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bellair Farm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 23 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 1,600 cfs | → |
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 102 cfs | → |
| Slate River Near Arvonia | 65 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 27 cfs | → |
| Rockfish River Near Greenfield | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bellair Farm Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Nelson County
- James River Road Nelson County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Hiker Camping
- James River State Park
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Dundo
Fishing spots
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To Farmville
- North River Campground To Camp May Flather
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
Track Bellair Farm Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bellair Farm Dam
Where does the data for Bellair Farm Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Undetermined hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bellair Farm Dam.