Bedford Lake Dam

NORTH OTTER RIVER· Bedford, Virginia· Earth· 52 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bedford Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	52 ft (taller than 93.9% in VA)
Dam Length	700 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	965 acre-ft
Normal Storage	612 acre-ft

Surface Area	32 acres
Drainage Area	13 sq mi
NID ID	VA019005

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: January 24, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Ownership

Bedford Estates HOA;Catherine Goodwin;Michael Rowland

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bedford Lake Dam?

Bedford Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bedford Lake Dam?

Bedford Lake Dam is owned by Bedford Estates HOA;Catherine Goodwin;Michael Rowland (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bedford Lake Dam?

Bedford Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bedford Lake Dam?

Bedford Lake Dam has a dam height of 52 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bedford Lake Dam last inspected?

Bedford Lake Dam was last inspected on January 24, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.