Cedar Branch Dam
Cedar Branch Dam is an earth dam located in Fayette County, West Virginia, built in 1979. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Cedar Branch Dam
The primary purpose of Cedar Branch Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Joe Moreau (private). It impounds the Cedar Branch near Thurmond.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 336 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 115 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1979, the structure is 47 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 03/21/2025.
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 | Fayette |
| Nearest City | Thurmond |
| River/Stream | Cedar Branch |
| Coordinates | 37.93833, -81.11694 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 336 ft |
| Year Completed | 1979 (47 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 115 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 115 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | JOE MOREAU |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV01912 |
| Federal ID | WV01912 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |