John Edward Dam dam
John Edward Dam
John Edward Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a private earth dam with a height of 17 feet and a storage capacity of 102.88 acre-feet. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this dam is regulated by the state and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting processes to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Although the hazard potential of the dam is currently labeled as "Undetermined" and its condition is "Not Rated," it is equipped with emergency action plans and has designated emergency contacts.
Even though the exact year of completion and specific purposes of John Edward Dam are not provided, its significance lies in its role as a water resource structure, contributing to water storage and surface area in the region. Situated within Congressional District 05, Virginia, this dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water management and conservation efforts in the area. With a focus on public safety and environmental protection, the state agency oversight and regulatory framework ensure that the dam operates efficiently and effectively.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, John Edward Dam represents a critical piece of infrastructure in Virginia's water management system. As a private earth dam, it showcases the intersection of human engineering and natural resources, highlighting the importance of sustainable water practices and regulatory mechanisms. With its location in Bedford County and close coordination with state agencies, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality, mitigating risks, and safeguarding the surrounding environment for future generations.
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 John Edward Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 157 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 49 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Edward Dam.
Boat launches
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Camp Lowman
- Goose Dam
- Roanoke Mtn
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
Track John Edward 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 John Edward Dam
Where does the data for John Edward 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 John Edward Dam.