Bendale Dam
Bendale Dam is a concrete dam located in Lewis County, West Virginia, built in 1924. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bendale Dam
The primary purpose of Bendale 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 Wv American Water Company (public utility). It impounds the West Fork River near Bendale.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 158 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 104 square miles. Completed in 1924, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 04/24/2025.
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Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Lewis |
| Nearest City | Bendale |
| River/Stream | West Fork River |
| Coordinates | 39.01417, -80.48306 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 158 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 104 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,900 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | WV American Water Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV04111 |
| Federal ID | WV04111 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |