Beaverdam Creek Dam dam
Beaverdam Creek Dam
Beaverdam Creek Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a vital water resource infrastructure owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Designed by Stantec, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 68 feet and spans 450 feet, serving primarily as a water supply source with a storage capacity of 2010 acre-feet. Despite its essential purpose, the dam's current condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential, emphasizing the critical need for maintenance and improvements to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
The dam, situated on Beaverdam Creek, has a drainage area of 1.4 square miles and covers a surface area of 70.1 acres. It has a normal storage capacity of 1363 acre-feet, indicating its significance in water management for the surrounding region. With the last inspection conducted in November 2020, the dam's deteriorating condition underscores the importance of regular monitoring and upkeep to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the community against any unforeseen emergencies. As a key component of the local water supply infrastructure, Beaverdam Creek Dam plays a crucial role in meeting the region's water needs, highlighting the necessity of proactive maintenance and risk management strategies.
Given its high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Beaverdam Creek Dam represents a critical focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts concerned with the sustainability and resilience of infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions. As the primary purpose of the dam is water supply, its operational effectiveness is paramount for ensuring a reliable and safe water source for the community. With continued regulatory oversight and potential maintenance efforts, Beaverdam Creek Dam can continue to fulfill its essential role in water management while addressing the challenges posed by its current condition assessment and hazard potential.
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 Beaverdam Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 131 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 5 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 54 cfs | → |
| Tinker Creek Near Daleville | 1 cfs | → |
| Catawba Creek Near Catawba | 3 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 472 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaverdam Creek Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Beaverdam Creek Dam
Where does the data for Beaverdam Creek 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.