Poplar Forest Dam dam
Poplar Forest Dam
Poplar Forest Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a private-owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water supply. The dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-TOMAHAWK CREEK, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, ensuring that it meets state inspection, permitting, and enforcement requirements.
While the hazard potential of Poplar Forest Dam is currently undetermined and its condition has not been rated, it remains a significant feature in the area for both recreational and water supply purposes. The dam's primary purpose is recreation, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. The structure's location in the Wilmington District adds to its importance within the region, providing valuable water resources and recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors alike.
As a key feature along TR-TOMAHAWK CREEK, Poplar Forest Dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the area. With its private ownership and state regulation, the dam ensures a balance between recreational use and water supply needs. While further assessments and evaluations may be needed to determine its hazard potential and condition, Poplar Forest Dam remains a noteworthy structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts in Virginia.
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 Poplar Forest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Falling River Near Naruna | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Poplar Forest Dam.
Boat launches
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
Campgrounds
- Camp Lowman
- Otter Creek - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Otter Creek Recreation Area
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
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
- Headwaters To Farmville
- 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 A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
Track Poplar Forest 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 Poplar Forest Dam
Where does the data for Poplar Forest 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 Poplar Forest Dam.