Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.1
Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.1 is an earth dam located in Mercer County, West Virginia, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.1
The primary purpose of Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.1 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 Bluewell Psd (local government). It impounds the Stone Lick Branch near Brush Fork.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 225 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 273 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1966, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/31/2021.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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.
Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Mercer |
| Nearest City | Brush Fork |
| River/Stream | Stone Lick Branch |
| Coordinates | 37.30222, -81.25194 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 225 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 273 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 273 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 175 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BLUEWELL PSD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/31/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV05519 |
| Federal ID | WV05519 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |