Elk Garden Lake Dam dam
Elk Garden Lake Dam
Located in Bedford, Virginia, Elk Garden Lake Dam is a privately owned structure primarily utilized for recreational purposes. The dam, constructed by Froehling and Robertson, Inc., stands at a height of 30 feet and spans a length of 300 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet. The dam, which is regulated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, holds a hazard potential rating of "High" but is currently labeled as "Not Rated" for its condition as of the last inspection in April 2010.
Situated on a tributary of Boyle Creek, Elk Garden Lake Dam not only provides recreational opportunities for visitors but also plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. With a normal storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and a surface area of 6.24 acres, the dam contributes to the conservation of water and supports the surrounding ecosystem. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has not been assessed for its condition since 2010, raising concerns about its structural integrity and the potential risks it poses in the event of a failure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the status of Elk Garden Lake Dam, there is a growing need for updated inspections and risk assessments to ensure the safety of the structure and the community downstream. With its location in a high-risk area and the potential for significant impact in the event of a breach, stakeholders must prioritize maintenance and regulatory oversight to mitigate potential hazards and protect the surrounding environment.
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 Elk Garden 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 Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 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 Elk Garden Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- North Creek Campground
- North Creek
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- 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 Elk Garden 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 Elk Garden Lake Dam
Where does the data for Elk Garden 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 Elk Garden Lake Dam.