Cifax Lake Dam dam
Cifax Lake Dam
Cifax Lake Dam, also known as Falwell Jr. Dam, is a private dam located in Bedford, Virginia, along the Spring Branch river. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 50.5 feet and stretches 400 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet for recreational purposes. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has been inspected periodically, with the last assessment conducted in October 2008.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Cifax Lake Dam has state jurisdiction and regulation, ensuring its safety and compliance with necessary permits and inspections. While the dam primarily serves recreational purposes, its location in the Norfolk District adds to its significance for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's modest surface area of 10 acres and drainage area of 0.11 square miles offer a serene environment for outdoor activities, attracting visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty and water-based recreational opportunities provided by the dam.
Although lacking detailed information on its construction year and specific design features, Cifax Lake Dam remains a notable structure in the region, overseen by state authorities and maintaining a relatively low risk profile. With its idyllic setting and contribution to local water resources, this dam is a valuable asset for both the community and environmental enthusiasts interested in its role in water management and climate resilience efforts 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 Cifax 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 | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cifax Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
Campgrounds
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Otter Creek - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Otter Creek Recreation Area
- North Creek 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
- 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
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
Track Cifax 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 Cifax Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cifax 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 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 Cifax Lake Dam.