The Summit - Dam A

About The Summit - Dam A

The primary purpose of The Summit - Dam A is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bsa Summit Group (private). It impounds the Barren Branch near Harvey.

The dam stands 73 feet tall and stretches 377 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 62 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,051 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2013, the structure is relatively new.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/31/2023.

At 73 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The West Virginia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.