Bowman Dam dam
Bowman Dam
Bowman Dam, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a private Earth dam on Deep Run with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 44.5 feet and a length of 370 feet, the dam provides a maximum storage capacity of 708.74 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 74 acre-feet. With a surface area of 8.18 acres and a drainage area of 5.08 square miles, Bowman Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Owned by a private entity, Bowman Dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 14 feet, and its hazard potential is classified as low, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of April 2020. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, Bowman Dam remains a significant recreational asset for the local community, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities.
With its location in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Bowman Dam is a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management of dams and their impact on the surrounding environment. The dam's design by Froehling & Robertson, Inc. and its history of inspections and regulatory oversight underscore its importance in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Bowman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg | 213 cfs | → |
| Po River Near Spotsylvania | 4 cfs | → |
| Aquia Creek Near Garrisonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Mattaponi River Near Bowling Green | 13 cfs | → |
| S F Quantico Creek Near Independent Hill | 0 cfs | → |
| North Anna River Near Partlow | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowman Dam.
Boat launches
- Elys Ford Road Spotsylvania County
- Old Wharf Road King George County
- Southlake Drive 9505, Spotsylvania County
- Elys Ford Road 10615, Fredericksburg
- County Road 639 1302, Stafford County
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
Campgrounds
- Champs Rv Military - A P Hill
- Lunga Park Military - Quantico Mcb
- Campsite #6
- Campground 3
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
- Cabin Camp 4 - Pleasant Historic District
Fishing spots
Track Bowman 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 Bowman Dam
Where does the data for Bowman 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 Bowman Dam.