Bedford - Canal Embankment dam
Bedford - Canal Embankment
The Bedford - Canal Embankment, also known as Snowden, is a historic structure located in Amherst, Virginia, along the James River. Built in 1850, this embankment serves as a key component in the hydroelectric system of the area, providing benefits for fish and wildlife, recreation, and water storage. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 1200 feet, this structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Owned by the local government and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Bedford - Canal Embankment has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the embankment is well-maintained and regularly inspected, with the last inspection conducted in August 2016. While the condition assessment is not currently available, emergency action plans are in place to ensure the safety and security of the structure and surrounding areas.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Bedford - Canal Embankment offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship. As a relic of the past that continues to serve a vital purpose in the present day, this structure exemplifies the importance of sustainable water management practices and the enduring legacy of infrastructure projects in shaping our natural landscapes.
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 Bedford - Canal Embankment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 43 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 164 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bedford - Canal Embankment .
Boat launches
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
Campgrounds
- Otter Creek Recreation Area
- Otter Creek - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Town Shelter (With Shower, Toilet & Electricity)
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Cave Mountain Lake Campground
- Cave Mountain Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- 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
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
Track Bedford - Canal Embankment 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 Bedford - Canal Embankment
Where does the data for Bedford - Canal Embankment 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 Low 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 Bedford - Canal Embankment .