Andrews Dam dam
Andrews Dam
Andrews Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. This earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and stretches 247 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 136.25 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Although the hazard potential of Andrews Dam is currently listed as undetermined, its condition assessment remains unrated as of the last assessment in April 2014. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, nor has it been updated to meet current guidelines or include inundation maps. Despite these gaps in emergency preparedness, the dam continues to serve as a recreational resource for the local community, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and enjoyment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, keeping a close eye on the condition and management of dams like Andrews Dam is crucial for maintaining the safety and sustainability of our water infrastructure. By staying informed about the regulatory oversight and potential risks associated with structures like Andrews Dam, we can work towards ensuring the protection of our natural resources and the preservation of recreational opportunities 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 Andrews Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 678 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Andrews Dam.
Boat launches
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
Campgrounds
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Camp Lowman
- North Creek Campground
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- North Creek
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
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
More reservoirs
Track Andrews 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 Andrews Dam
Where does the data for Andrews 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 Andrews Dam.