Dams in Preston County, West Virginia

20Total Dams
13High Hazard
5Significant

Dam Safety in Preston County, West Virginia

Preston County has 20 dams tracked in the National Inventory of Dams. Of these, 13 are classified as high hazard — meaning failure would probably cause loss of human life. Another 5 carry a significant hazard classification. Currently, 5 dams have a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory.

The average dam in Preston County is 82 years old. The most common purpose is recreation. The tallest dam is Big Bear Lake at 66 ft.

DamHazardConditionHeight (ft)PurposeYear
Upper Deckers No. 5HighFair53Flood Risk Reduction1967
Upper Deckers No. 1HighSatisfactory46Flood Risk Reduction1969
B & O DamHighPoor41Recreation1904
Upper Deckers No. 4HighFair39Flood Risk Reduction1966
Alpine LakeHighFair35Recreation1971
Upper Deckers No. 2HighFair34Flood Risk Reduction1966
Hazel Run DamHighPoor28
Lake O' Woods DamHighSatisfactory26Recreation1938
Upper Deckers No. 6HighFair24Flood Risk Reduction1968
Terra Alta LakeHighSatisfactory15Recreation1820
Fairfax PondHighPoor13Recreation1950
Upper Deckers No. 7HighFair13Flood Risk Reduction1968
Upper Glade Lake DamHighNot Rated0
Big Bear LakeSignificantSatisfactory66Recreation1972
Chippewa LakeSignificantPoor34Recreation1950
Appalachian LakeSignificantPoor15Other
Albright Bridge DamSignificantSatisfactory8Water Supply1950
Lower Glade Lake DamSignificantNot Rated0
Bruceton Mills DamLowSatisfactory20Recreation1873
Upper Deckers No. 3LowFair13Flood Risk Reduction1968