Cacapon Reservoir Dam
Cacapon Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Morgan County, West Virginia, built in 1974. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cacapon Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Cacapon Reservoir 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 Wvdnr, Parks (state). It impounds the North Fork near Sleepy Creek.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 551 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 102 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 06/30/2023.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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 | Morgan |
| Nearest City | Sleepy Creek |
| River/Stream | North Fork |
| Coordinates | 39.50722, -78.30611 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 551 ft |
| Year Completed | 1974 (52 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 102 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 102 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 62 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | WVDNR, PARKS |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/30/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV06502 |
| Federal ID | WV06502 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |