Laurel Creek Dam
Laurel Creek Dam is a concrete dam located in Mercer County, West Virginia, built in 1975. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Laurel Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Laurel Creek 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 Town Of Athens (local government). It impounds the Laurel Creek near Athens.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 205 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 42 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 319 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 10/31/2023.
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Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Mercer |
| Nearest City | Athens |
| River/Stream | Laurel Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.40694, -81.01111 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 205 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 319 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 319 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 276 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 42 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | TOWN OF ATHENS |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/31/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV05526 |
| Federal ID | WV05526 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |