Holdrens Dam dam
Holdrens Dam
Holdrens Dam, located in Bedford, Virginia, on Kates Creek, is a recreational dam with a primary purpose of providing opportunities for outdoor activities. The dam, which stands at a height of 18 feet, has a storage capacity of 87 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 62 acre-feet. While the hazard potential of the dam is currently classified as undetermined, it is regulated and inspected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia.
Despite not being rated for condition assessment, Holdrens Dam is regularly inspected, with an inspection frequency of once every year. While the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared or updated, it meets state permitting requirements and is subject to state enforcement. With its location in a picturesque area surrounded by nature, the dam provides a serene setting for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.
Overall, Holdrens Dam serves as both a recreational and regulatory structure in Bedford, Virginia, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. While the dam's condition assessment is not rated and its hazard potential is undetermined, it continues to be a popular destination for outdoor recreation, offering a peaceful retreat in a natural setting.
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 Holdrens Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 5 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 131 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 20 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 54 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 18 cfs | → |
| Tinker Creek Near Daleville | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holdrens 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 Holdrens Dam
Where does the data for Holdrens 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 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.