Newpage Westvaco Dam
Newpage Westvaco Dam is a gravity dam located in Allegany County, Maryland, built in 1913. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Newpage Westvaco Dam
The primary purpose of Newpage Westvaco Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Verso Corporation (private). It impounds the Potomac River near Luke.
The dam stands 7 feet tall and stretches 407 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 404 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 08/30/2021.
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Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Allegany |
| Nearest City | Luke |
| River/Stream | Potomac River |
| Coordinates | 39.47220, -79.06060 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Length | 407 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 404 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,262 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Verso Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/30/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00292 |
| Federal ID | MD00292 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |