Bedford Lake Dam dam
Bedford Lake Dam
Bedford Lake Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a private dam situated on the North Otter River. The dam has a primary purpose of recreation and stands at a height of 52 feet with a length of 700 feet. It provides a storage capacity of 965 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 612 acre-feet and a surface area of 31.8 acres. The dam is state-regulated and inspected regularly by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring its structural integrity and safety.
With a high hazard potential, Bedford Lake Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of February 2020. The emergency action plan is in place, with the last revision made in September 2020. Despite not being owned or funded by federal agencies, the dam meets state regulatory standards for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. As a significant feature on the North Otter River, the dam provides not only recreational opportunities but also serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bedford Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in private dam management and regulation. Its role in providing water storage, recreational activities, and potential flood control highlights the importance of maintaining safe and efficient infrastructure. With a focus on risk management and emergency preparedness, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental protection in water resource management.
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 Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 43 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bedford Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
Campgrounds
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- North Creek Campground
- North Creek
- Cave Mountain Lake Campground
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
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
Track Bedford Lake 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 Bedford Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bedford Lake 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 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 Bedford Lake Dam.