Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5 dam
Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5
Peaks of Otter Dam 1-K is a federal-owned structure located at Mile 85.5 along the Little Stoney Creek in Bedford, Virginia. Constructed in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond for the National Park Service. With a height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 28 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 24 acres. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam has a high hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level.
Managed by the National Park Service, Peaks of Otter Dam 1-K is primarily funded and regulated by federal agencies. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 77 feet and no outlet gates. While not currently assessed for its condition, the dam undergoes inspections by the Bureau of Reclamation and has an Emergency Action Plan in place. With Congressman Ben Cline representing the area, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities and supporting wildlife in the region.
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 Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Tinker Creek Near Daleville | 3 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 179 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5.
Boat launches
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Reservoir Road Hollins
Campgrounds
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- North Creek Campground
- North Creek
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Cave Mountain Lake
Paddle runs
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
Track Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5 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 Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5
Where does the data for Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5 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 High 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 Peaks Of Otter Dam 1-K Mi.85.5.