Lost River #4 Dam
Lost River #4 Dam is an earth dam located in Hardy County, West Virginia, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lost River #4 Dam
The primary purpose of Lost River #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 Potomac Valley Cd (local government). It impounds the Kimsey Run near Lost River.
The dam stands 89 feet tall and stretches 1,754 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 66 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,256 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 32 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 10/31/2025.
At 89 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.
Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Hardy |
| Nearest City | Lost River |
| River/Stream | Kimsey Run |
| Coordinates | 38.95639, -78.81500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 89 ft |
| Dam Height | 89 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,754 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,256 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,256 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 653 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 66 acres |
| Drainage Area | 32 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 99,057 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Potomac Valley CD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/31/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV03108 |
| Federal ID | WV03108 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |