Harmon Creek No. 4 Dam

Harmon Creek No. 4 Dam is an earth dam located in Brooke County, West Virginia, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Harmon Creek No. 4 Dam

The primary purpose of Harmon Creek No. 4 Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Weirton (local government). It impounds the Mechling Run near Colliers.

The dam stands 64 feet tall and stretches 380 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 169 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1970, 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 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 05/25/2022.

At 64 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWest Virginia
CountyBrooke
Nearest CityColliers
River/StreamMechling Run
Coordinates40.35667, -80.53694

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height64 ft
Dam Height64 ft
Dam Length380 ft
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage169 acre-ft
Max Storage169 acre-ft
Normal Storage19 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge5,212 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerCITY OF WEIRTON
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection05/25/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWV00903
Federal IDWV00903
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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