Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2 Dam
Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2
Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2, located in Bedford, Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam standing at a height of 55 feet along Whispering Creek. With a storage capacity of 1880 acre-feet, this dam serves a primary purpose different from traditional water resource projects. Despite being unregulated by the state and lacking detailed information on its construction and design, the dam's condition remains unrated, posing an undetermined hazard potential.
While the dam's inspection frequency is listed as zero and its emergency action plan status is unspecified, its risk assessment and management measures are not documented. The absence of inundation maps and a designated DSAC assignment date further highlight the need for comprehensive monitoring and safety protocols. With the risk profile and potential consequences of failure remaining unclear, stakeholders and environmental enthusiasts may seek further information and action to ensure the safety and sustainability of Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2.
In the absence of state regulation and detailed oversight, the condition and safety of Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2 raise concerns for nearby communities and the surrounding environment. Given its unique purpose and potential impact on Whispering Creek, advocates for water resource management and climate resilience may call for increased transparency, monitoring, and risk mitigation measures to safeguard against any unforeseen incidents or environmental harm.
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 Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Otter River Near Bedford | 53 cfs | → |
| James River At Holcomb Rock | 922 cfs | → |
| James River At Buchanan | 650 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 5 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 76 cfs | → |
| Big Otter River Near Evington | 65 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
More reservoirs
See all →
About Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2
Where does the data for Kyanite Mine Waste Dam #2 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.