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High Risk Dams in West Virginia

West Virginia has 41 high hazard dams with a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory. These are dams where failure would probably cause loss of human life and where recognized safety deficiencies have been identified.

Of the 375 high hazard dams in West Virginia, 41 (10%) have concerning condition ratings — 40 rated poor and 1 rated unsatisfactory.

Condition scale, best to worst
  1. Satisfactory No existing or potential safety deficiencies recognized; acceptable performance expected under all loading conditions.
  2. Fair No deficiencies under normal operating conditions; a rare flood or earthquake could create one.
  3. Poor A safety deficiency is recognized under normal operating conditions; remedial action is necessary.
  4. Unsatisfactory Worst rating. The dam is considered unsafe; a deficiency requires immediate or emergency remedial action.

"Not rated" means no assessment is on file in the National Inventory of Dams.

DamCountyHeight (ft)ConditionLast inspectedPurposeYear
Upper Smith DamWood48Poor12/18/20232 yrs agoRecreation1955
Laurel Creek Lake No.1Mingo47Poor10/31/2025this yearFish and Wildlife Pond1960
Horse Creek Dam #1Wyoming46Poor01/31/2026this yearRecreation1956
Schellhas DamRitchie41Poor10/14/201510 yrs agoOther
B & O DamPreston41Poor10/31/2025this yearRecreation1904
Tomlinson Run DamHancock38Poor06/30/20251 yr agoRecreation1936
New Bramwell DamMercer37Poor08/06/200125 yrs agoRecreation1970
Warm Springs No. 7Morgan37Poor08/31/20242 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction1958
Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.1Mercer36Poor05/31/20215 yrs agoWater Supply1966
Bluewell Water Supply Dam No.2Mercer36Poor05/31/20215 yrs agoWater Supply1966
Huffman DamMason35Poor12/17/20241 yr agoRecreation2010
Bear Rocks Lake No.2Ohio35Poor01/31/20233 yrs agoRecreation1948
Lake Sam HillPocahontas35Poor11/30/2025this yearRecreation1958
Methodist Church Camp LakeRoane34Poor08/31/20242 yrs agoRecreation1963
Turkey Run LakeJackson33Poor01/31/2026this yearRecreation1964
Deegan LakeHarrison31Poor10/31/2025this yearRecreation1950
Jackson Mill DamLewis31Poor07/31/20215 yrs agoRecreation1960
Tennants Farm PondWood30Poor02/28/201610 yrs agoRecreation1953
Hall's Farm PondUpshur30Poor04/14/20215 yrs agoRecreation1959
Salerno DamHarrison30UnsatisfactoryNot reportedRecreation1965
Burek Farm PondBrooke28Poor12/04/20241 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond1988
Hazel Run DamPreston28Poor06/30/20188 yrs ago
Hatfield Lake DamCabell28Poor05/29/20242 yrs agoRecreation1955
Forest Run No. 2 DamMonroe27Poor01/04/201610 yrs agoIrrigation
Miletree Run Dam No. 1Roane26Poor06/18/20242 yrs agoWater Supply1930
Lough LakeMonongalia25Poor02/17/20179 yrs agoOther1950
Culloden Water Supply DamCabell25Poor07/14/201511 yrs agoRecreation1963
Lynch LakeMonongalia25Poor01/11/201313 yrs agoRecreation1947
Lake of EdenCabell25Poor07/14/201511 yrs agoRecreation1971
Bear Rocks Lake No.1Ohio25Poor01/31/20233 yrs agoRecreation1951
Lake WashingtonPutnam24Poor03/13/20251 yr agoOther1938
Coopers Rock Trout PondMonongalia24Poor05/07/20242 yrs agoRecreation1954
Cedar Branch DamFayette23Poor03/21/20251 yr agoRecreation1979
Bear Rocks Lake No.3Ohio23Poor04/20/201511 yrs agoRecreation1948
Scott LakeRandolph19Poor08/31/20242 yrs agoRecreation1949
Camp Caesar DamWebster18Poor04/11/20233 yrs agoRecreation1955
Mallard Lake DamRaleigh16Poor09/30/20215 yrs agoRecreation
Cowen B&o DamWebster14Poor03/07/20242 yrs agoRecreation
New Lumberport DamHarrison13Poor04/06/201610 yrs agoRecreation1981
Fairfax PondPreston13Poor01/31/20233 yrs agoRecreation1950
Forest Run No. 1 DamMonroe12Poor01/04/201610 yrs agoRecreation

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