Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam dam
Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam
The Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam, located in Altavista, Virginia, is a crucial structure owned by the local government for water supply purposes. This earth dam, with a height of 42 feet and a length of 600 feet, plays a significant role in storing and regulating water from an unnamed tributary to the Big Otter River. With a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.3 acres, the dam is designed to ensure a steady water supply to the surrounding area.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, the Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as satisfactory in condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its safety and functionality. Although it poses a moderate risk, the dam is equipped with emergency action plans and meets regulatory guidelines to mitigate any potential threats and ensure the safety of the community and environment in the event of an emergency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find the Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam an intriguing structure in the water management infrastructure of Virginia. With its essential role in providing a reliable water supply and its adherence to state regulations and inspection protocols, this dam stands as a vital component in ensuring water security and resilience in the region.
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 Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Falling River Near Naruna | 56 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 1,250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Clemmons Lake Trail Lynchburg
- Railroad Avenue Campbell County
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Monacan Park Road 1354, Amherst County
Campgrounds
- Camp Lowman
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Otter Creek - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Otter Creek Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Headwaters To Farmville
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- Nf Boundary Along The South Fork Tye River Near Fdt 526 And State Highway 56 To Town Of Nash
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
Track Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir 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 Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir 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 Otter River Raw Water Terminal Reservoir Dam.