Dams in Kanawha County, West Virginia

18Total Dams
12High Hazard
5Significant

Dam Safety in Kanawha County, West Virginia

Kanawha County has 18 dams tracked in the National Inventory of Dams. Of these, 12 are classified as high hazard — meaning failure would probably cause loss of human life. Another 5 carry a significant hazard classification. Currently, 2 dams have a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory.

The average dam in Kanawha County is 55 years old. The most common purpose is tailings. The tallest dam is Holz Dam at 203 ft.

DamHazardConditionHeight (ft)PurposeYear
Holz DamHighSatisfactory203Tailings1972
Scott's Run Cinder BarrierHighSatisfactory179Tailings1955
Ward Impoundment (upper) DamHighSatisfactory139Tailings1965
Elk-two Mile No.12HighSatisfactory66Flood Risk Reduction1975
Elk Two Mile #14 DamHighSatisfactory66Flood Risk Reduction1996
Don White DamHighSatisfactory65Recreation2006
Elk-two Mile No.13HighSatisfactory49Flood Risk Reduction1977
Blake's Creek Site No.7HighSatisfactory47Flood Risk Reduction1970
Anderson DamHighSatisfactory39Flood Risk Reduction1984
Lake Chaweva DamHighSatisfactory36Recreation2002
Fly Ash Settling Basin DamHighSatisfactory28Tailings1974
Graff/lane Sw DamHighNot Rated0Flood Risk Reduction
Ward Impoundment (lower) DamSignificantSatisfactory152Tailings
London Locks And DamSignificantNot Available103Navigation1934
Marmet Locks And DamSignificantNot Available101Navigation1934
Cunningham Flyash PondSignificantSatisfactory31Tailings1971
Finney Branch EmbankmentSignificantPoor28Tailings1971
Union Carbide H & F Club #3LowUnsatisfactory20Recreation1949