Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake is an earth dam located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, built in 1952. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Seneca Lake

The primary purpose of Seneca Lake is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Wvdnr, Parks (state). It impounds the Little Thorny Creek near Dilly's Mill.

The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1952, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/30/2024.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWest Virginia
CountyPocahontas
Nearest CityDilly's Mill
River/StreamLittle Thorny Creek
Coordinates38.30611, -79.94389

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height23 ft
Dam Height23 ft
Dam Length200 ft
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage78 acre-ft
Max Storage78 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,017 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFish and Wildlife Pond
OwnerWVDNR, PARKS
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/30/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWV07505
Federal IDWV07505
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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