Robert C. Byrd Locks And Dam
Robert C. Byrd Locks And Dam is a concrete dam located in Mason County, West Virginia, built in 1937. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Robert C. Byrd Locks And Dam
The primary purpose of Robert C. Byrd Locks And Dam is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by Usace - Huntington District (federal). It impounds the Ohio River near Bladen.
The dam stands 167 feet tall and stretches 1,408 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12,600 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 390,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 53,300 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 07/01/2020.
At 167 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Mason |
| Nearest City | Bladen |
| River/Stream | Ohio River |
| Coordinates | 38.68156, -82.18678 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 167 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,408 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 390,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 390,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 390,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12,600 acres |
| Drainage Area | 53,300 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 75,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | USACE - Huntington District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 07/01/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV05302 |
| Federal ID | WV05302 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |