Swine Meyer Dam dam
Swine Meyer Dam
Located in Bedford, Virginia, Swine Meyer Dam serves as a vital water resource and recreational area in the region. Managed by the Campbell County Utilities and Service Authority, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 21.9 feet and has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Swine Meyer Dam is for recreation, with additional functions including fire protection and stock or small fish pond.
Situated on Terrapin Creek, Swine Meyer Dam provides a serene environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. With a surface area of 7.7 acres and a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, the dam offers a tranquil escape for visitors seeking to connect with nature. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia to ensure its safety and compliance with state guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Swine Meyer Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes. As a privately owned structure, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of responsible water management and environmental stewardship. Whether for recreational enjoyment or as a case study in dam engineering, Swine Meyer Dam stands as a symbol of the delicate balance between human needs and ecological preservation.
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 Swine Meyer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 40 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Altavista | 891 cfs | → |
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 157 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 218 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swine Meyer Dam.
Boat launches
- Taylor Ford Road Pittsylvania County
- Pittsylvania Avenue Altavista
- State Park Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Camp Lowman
- Smith Mountain Lake
- Peaks Of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Peaks Of Otter Campground
- Goose Dam
- Roanoke Mtn
Track Swine Meyer 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 Swine Meyer Dam
Where does the data for Swine Meyer 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 Low 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 Swine Meyer Dam.