Big Island is a census-designated place in far northern Bedford County, Virginia. The population as of the 2010 Census was 303. The small community is located by the James River north of Lynchburg; it is not on an island, but is named for an uninhabited island in the river upstream from it. It is within the bounds of George Washington National Forest. The Bedford Hydropower Project and larger Cushaw Hydroelectric Project dams are located on the James River nearby.Big Island also has its own Big Island Volunteer Fire Department known as Company 2 by Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue, and has Big Island Emergency Crew INC. known as Squad 2 by Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue. Big Island Emergency Crew INC. has a staffed medic truck, known as Medic 14-2 by Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue, that is run at Big Island Emergency Crew INC.'s building. The staffed ambulance is available 6a-6p Monday-Friday.