Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 dam
Upper Blackwater River Dam #6
Upper Blackwater River Dam #6, also known as Bowman Dam, is a vital structure owned by the local government of Franklin, Virginia. Situated along the Blackwater River, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 50 feet and stretches 550 feet in length, providing crucial flood risk reduction for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 672 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 77 acre-feet, the dam serves as a key asset in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia, Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 has a high hazard potential and is classified as being in fair condition as of the last assessment in July 2019. Regular inspections and enforcement measures are carried out to ensure the dam's safety and functionality, with state permitting, inspection, and regulatory processes in place. Despite its importance in flood risk reduction, the dam does not have a spillway or outlet gates, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to uphold its effectiveness in protecting the community.
Located in the Wilmington District and within the congressional jurisdiction of Representative Denver Riggleman, Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Franklin area from potential flooding events. As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the dam's significance in water management and flood control will only become more pronounced, underscoring the importance of continued support and investment in its upkeep and maintenance.
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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 36 cfs | → |
| S F Roanoke River Near Shawsville | 25 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 13 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 77 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Lafayette | 56 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Glenvar | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Blackwater River Dam #6.
Boat launches
- Hardy Road Bedford County
- Dudley Amos Road Franklin County
- Oak Grove Drive Franklin County
- Oak Hollow Road Bedford County
- Jefferson Dock Road Arrowhead
- State Park Road Bedford County
Campgrounds
- Goose Dam
- Jamison Mill Park - Philpott Lake
- Roanoke Mtn
- Ryans Branch - Philpott Lake
- Roanoke Mountain - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Horseshoe Point - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
Track Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #6
Where does the data for Upper Blackwater River Dam #6 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 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 Upper Blackwater River Dam #6.