Colt Bower Dam dam
Colt Bower Dam
Colt Bower Dam, located in Albemarle, Virginia, is a privately owned structure that plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. With a height of 26 feet and a storage capacity of 66.25 acre-feet, this dam provides essential water storage for the area, with a normal storage capacity of 45.67 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.19 acres. The dam is regulated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and reliability.
Despite its importance in water management, the condition assessment of Colt Bower Dam is currently listed as 'Not Rated,' with an undetermined hazard potential. However, the dam has an emergency action plan (EAP) in place, although details on its preparation and adherence to guidelines are not specified. The dam's inspection frequency is set at one, indicating a commitment to regular monitoring and maintenance to address any potential risks or issues that may arise.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, Colt Bower Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper management and maintenance of dams for water resource conservation and climate adaptation. With its strategic location and storage capacity, this dam plays a vital role in ensuring water security for the community and highlights the need for ongoing risk assessment and management to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure long-term resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Colt Bower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rivanna River At Palmyra | 532 cfs | → |
| Hardware River Bl Briery Run Nr Scottsville | 31 cfs | → |
| N F Rivanna River Near Earlysville | 159 cfs | → |
| James River At Scottsville | 2,100 cfs | → |
| Mechums River Near White Hall | 44 cfs | → |
| Moormans River Near Free Union | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Colt Bower Dam.
Boat launches
- South Boston Road 3315, Fluvanna County
- River Anne Palmyra
- Boat Landing Lane Buckingham County
- Columbia Road Columbia
- Howardsville Turnpike 11001, Albemarle County
- Nelson County
Campgrounds
- Girl Scout Camp
- Loft Mountain - Shenandoah National Park
- Loft Mountain Campground
- Christopher Run Campground
- Dundo
- Westview On The James
Fishing spots
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Bealers Ferry Pond Accessible Fishing Site
- Bealers Ferry Boat Launch
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Moody Boat Launch
Track Colt Bower 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 Colt Bower Dam
Where does the data for Colt Bower 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 Colt Bower Dam.