Natural Bridge Dam # 5 dam
Natural Bridge Dam # 5
Natural Bridge Dam # 5, located in Natural Bridge, Virginia, is a concrete structure primarily used for recreation. Standing at a height of 35.4 feet and with a length of 210 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 66.5 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 0.59 acres. The dam is situated on Cedar Creek, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Despite its recreational appeal, Natural Bridge Dam # 5 is classified as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in November 2018. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 47 feet, and it lacks outlet gates for controlled water release. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating the need for careful monitoring and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
Managed by a private owner in conjunction with the state of Virginia, Natural Bridge Dam # 5 falls under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. With state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, efforts are being made to address the dam's condition and mitigate potential risks. Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of dam infrastructure, recreation, and environmental preservation may find Natural Bridge Dam # 5 an intriguing case study of balancing human enjoyment with safety and sustainability considerations.
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 Natural Bridge Dam # 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Buchanan | 615 cfs | → |
| Maury River Near Buena Vista | 110 cfs | → |
| Kerrs Creek Near Lexington | 10 cfs | → |
| Pedlar River At Forest Road Near Buena Vista | 9 cfs | → |
| Cowpasture River Near Clifton Forge | 128 cfs | → |
| James River At Lick Run | 481 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Natural Bridge Dam # 5.
Boat launches
- Arcadia Road Botetourt County
- Elon Road Amherst County
- Lowe Street Buchanan
- Botetourt Road Botetourt County
- Walter Robinson Canoe Access Point
Campgrounds
- Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area
- Cave Mountain Lake
- Cave Mountain Lake Campground
- Hopper Creek Group Campground
- Town Shelter (With Shower, Toilet & Electricity)
- North Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Top Of Apple Orchards Falls To Confluence Of North Creek With Jennings Creek
- 1 Mile Southeast Of Buchanan (At End Of Nfs Land) To Snowden Dam Reservoir
- Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River
- Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge
- Segment D--Gathright Dam To State Route 687 Bridge At Clearwater Park
- Headwaters South Of Flint Mountain To St. Mary's Wilderness Boundary
Track Natural Bridge Dam # 5 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 Natural Bridge Dam # 5
Where does the data for Natural Bridge Dam # 5 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 Natural Bridge Dam # 5.