Pedlar River Dam dam
Pedlar River Dam
The Pedlar River Dam, also known as the Lynchburg Reservoir, is a gravity dam located in Virginia along the Pedlar River. This dam serves as a critical water supply infrastructure for the local government, providing storage capacity of 4,300 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 3,170 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 87 feet and spans 312 feet in length, with a surface area of 125 acres and draining an area of 32.2 square miles.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Pedlar River Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and operational efficiency. Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, the dam is assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in October 2020. While there have been no reported modifications or incidents, the emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in August 2016, and its compliance with guidelines and risk management measures remain unspecified.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Pedlar River Dam presents a fascinating case study of a vital structure supporting both water supply and recreational purposes within the Amherst County of Virginia. With its impressive engineering design, regulatory oversight, and significant storage capacity, this dam serves as a key component of the local water infrastructure while highlighting the importance of effective risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding against potential hazards.
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 Pedlar River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 7 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 56 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 593 cfs | → |
| Piney River At Piney River | 8 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 6 cfs | → |
| Tye River Near Lovingston | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pedlar River Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Pedlar River Dam
Where does the data for Pedlar River 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 below 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.
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.