Simpkins Dam dam
Simpkins Dam
Simpkins Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a privately owned structure regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. It serves multiple purposes, including irrigation and recreation, with a primary focus on the latter. The earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and has a length of 300 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 115 acre-feet.
The dam, situated on the Big Otter River tributary, has a low hazard potential and was last inspected in March 2002, with a frequency of one inspection per year. Despite its age, the condition of the dam has not been rated in recent assessments. The surrounding area offers 8 acres of surface water for recreational activities, making it a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the region.
With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Simpkins Dam provides a valuable resource for the community while also ensuring proper regulatory oversight and safety measures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the responsible management of structures like Simpkins Dam will be crucial in maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy.
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 Simpkins 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 | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 179 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Simpkins Dam.
Boat launches
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Hardy 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
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
Track Simpkins 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 Simpkins Dam
Where does the data for Simpkins 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 Simpkins Dam.