Elkwater Fork Ws Dam

About Elkwater Fork Ws Dam

The primary purpose of Elkwater Fork Ws 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 Tygarts Valley Cd (local government). It impounds the Elkwater Fork near Huttonsville.

The dam stands 123 feet tall and stretches 674 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 74 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,134 acre-feet. Completed in 2009, 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 10/31/2024.

At 123 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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.

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