Lower Big Bethel Dam dam
Lower Big Bethel Dam
Lower Big Bethel Dam, located in Hampton, Virginia, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the US Air Force for recreational and water supply purposes. Built by the US Army Quartermaster Corps, this Earth-type dam spans 2439 feet in length with a height of 16 feet, providing a storage capacity of 830 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Brick Kiln Creek, has a spillway width of 100 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1650 cubic feet per second. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is not currently regulated or inspected by the state, with the last inspection conducted in August 2016.
The dam's surrounding area covers 102 acres with a drainage area of 7.92 square miles. Its normal storage capacity is 677 acre-feet, serving as a vital water resource for the region. Although the dam's condition assessment is not available, its risk assessment indicates a very high level of risk, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and management measures. With its strategic location and functionality, Lower Big Bethel Dam stands as a crucial infrastructure for both recreational activities and water supply in the Hampton area, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As a key structure under the purview of the US Air Force, Lower Big Bethel Dam plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in Hampton, Virginia. With its controlled spillway and significant hazard potential, the dam represents a focal point for risk management and emergency preparedness efforts. While its condition assessment is currently unavailable, the dam's operational importance for both recreation and water supply underscores the need for continued oversight and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding community.
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 Lower Big Bethel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Dendron | 2 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Dragon Swamp At Mascot | 13 cfs | → |
| Chickahominy River Near Providence Forge | 24 cfs | → |
| Pasquotank River Near South Mills | 26 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Big Bethel Dam.
Boat launches
- Tide Mill Road 711, York County
- Cedar Road 255, Poquoson
- West River Point Drive 48, Hampton
- Oriana Road Burts
- Messick Road 470, Poquoson
- Huntington Park Municipal Boat Ramp
Track Lower Big Bethel 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 Lower Big Bethel Dam
Where does the data for Lower Big Bethel 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 Significant 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 Lower Big Bethel Dam.