As we drove down the switchbacks from the Woodstock Tower, we approached the North Fork of the Shenandoah. One of the seven bends was frozen over with ice, despite two days of temperatures in the '50's.
I figured this was caused by slow moving water, but as we got closer, we found this dam, the Burnshire Dam, which actually slowed the flow enough to allow the river to freeze over.
I was curious and did some further web research on this dam, and learned it is one of several in this area, as you can read below.
I also found a reference to a 1974 status of dams report done by DoD, which said at the time this dam was in good condition and did not pose a danger to people or property.
That one might be due for an update...seems like a good stimulus package proposal.
From: http://www.verrill.com/FlyFishing/flyfish.shtml
Burnshire Dam, Woodstock, Virginia, the north fork. About five minutes east of Woodstock on State Road 665/758. Head out Route 66 to Route 81 south. After only a few miles take the exit to Woodstock. Turn left onto Route 11, and then east on SR-665 (next to a Safeway). After a mile or two SR-665 merges to the left onto SR-758, and after another mile you will see the bridge below Burnshire Dam. There is plenty of parking directly before the bridge. I've caught more fish below Burnshire Dam than I've ever caught anywhere else. You will want to walk down to the river on the upstream part of the bridge. After entering the river, fish each of the pools till you reach the opposite side, then try directly below the dam. Below the dam the river opens up to long ledges and makes for a great afternoon. Make sure to stop in and see Harry Murray in Edinburgh, the town below Woodstock, at Murray's Fl y Shop (703-984-4212). He knows more about fly-fishing in Virginia than anyone you are likely ever to meet and oversees a flyshop where you can buy any of his several books, replenish your fly supply, or have a very filling lunch.
Burnshire Dam, Woodstock, Virginia, the north fork. About five minutes east of Woodstock on State Road 665/758. Head out Route 66 to Route 81 south. After only a few miles take the exit to Woodstock. Turn left onto Route 11, and then east on SR-665 (next to a Safeway). After a mile or two SR-665 merges to the left onto SR-758, and after another mile you will see the bridge below Burnshire Dam. There is plenty of parking directly before the bridge. I've caught more fish below Burnshire Dam than I've ever caught anywhere else. You will want to walk down to the river on the upstream part of the bridge. After entering the river, fish each of the pools till you reach the opposite side, then try directly below the dam. Below the dam the river opens up to long ledges and makes for a great afternoon. Make sure to stop in and see Harry Murray in Edinburgh, the town below Woodstock, at Murray's Fl y Shop (703-984-4212). He knows more about fly-fishing in Virginia than anyone you are likely ever to meet and oversees a flyshop where you can buy any of his several books, replenish your fly supply, or have a very filling lunch.
From: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=172
The North Fork Shenandoah River is a fifth order stream that drains 2,675 square miles of northeastern Virginia. The river flows north 116 miles from Northern Rockingham County to the Town of Front royal where it joins the South Fork Shenandoah to form the Shenandoah River. As the North Fork cuts through the karst geology of the Shenandoah Valley many bedrock ledges cross the channel perpendicular to the flow of the river. These features are very common in the "seven bends" section of the river between Woodstock and Edinburg. Bedrock ledges create unique fish habitat and angling can be very productive in these areas. The North Fork is a relatively small, shallow river and is very accessible to wade angling. Excessive nutrients in the watershed promote the growth of algae and aquatic plants. This vegetation can become very dense during the summer/fall months and impede fishing and boating.
The North Fork is an ideal river to float by canoe. Clear water, pleasant scenery, abundant wildlife, and mild whitewater make the North Fork a paddler's dream. However, low flows during the summer months often require canoeists to walk their boats through shallow areas. The primary navigational hazards on the river are six dams and several low-water bridges. The first dam is upstream of Timberville; three dams are located between Edinburg and the Route 758 bridge east of Woodstock; and two small dams are found between Strasburg and Riverton.
The North Fork Shenandoah River is a fifth order stream that drains 2,675 square miles of northeastern Virginia. The river flows north 116 miles from Northern Rockingham County to the Town of Front royal where it joins the South Fork Shenandoah to form the Shenandoah River. As the North Fork cuts through the karst geology of the Shenandoah Valley many bedrock ledges cross the channel perpendicular to the flow of the river. These features are very common in the "seven bends" section of the river between Woodstock and Edinburg. Bedrock ledges create unique fish habitat and angling can be very productive in these areas. The North Fork is a relatively small, shallow river and is very accessible to wade angling. Excessive nutrients in the watershed promote the growth of algae and aquatic plants. This vegetation can become very dense during the summer/fall months and impede fishing and boating.
The North Fork is an ideal river to float by canoe. Clear water, pleasant scenery, abundant wildlife, and mild whitewater make the North Fork a paddler's dream. However, low flows during the summer months often require canoeists to walk their boats through shallow areas. The primary navigational hazards on the river are six dams and several low-water bridges. The first dam is upstream of Timberville; three dams are located between Edinburg and the Route 758 bridge east of Woodstock; and two small dams are found between Strasburg and Riverton.
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