Lake Washington dam
Lake Washington
Lake Washington, located in Wood County, West Virginia, is a private reservoir that serves as a popular recreational spot for water enthusiasts. The dam, primarily made of concrete and completed in 1935, stands at an impressive height of 72.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 2750 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 730 acre-feet and a surface area of 103 acres, Lake Washington offers a serene setting for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.
Managed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Washington is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its safety and regulatory compliance. The dam, built on Vaughts Run of Sandy Creek, has a significant hazard potential but its condition assessment remains unrated. Despite the lack of a formal Emergency Action Plan assessment, the reservoir continues to be a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, with its maximum discharge capacity reaching 32,118 cubic feet per second.
With its picturesque surroundings and ample water storage capacity, Lake Washington is not only a vital resource for the region but also a valuable recreational asset. Whether enjoying a leisurely day by the water or exploring the nearby city of Belleville, visitors can appreciate the beauty and functionality of this impressive reservoir. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of responsibly managing and maintaining bodies of water like Lake Washington becomes increasingly crucial for future generations to enjoy.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Washington -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| Little Kanawha River At Palestine | 291 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River At Beverly Oh | 5,200 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Below Whipple Oh | 61 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 263 cfs | → |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Washington.
Boat launches
- Northwest Drive 598, Wood County
- Cherry Blossom Lane Washington County
- Belpre Public Ramp
- Athens Boat And Ski Club
- Coolville Ramp
- Beverly Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lane Farm Campground
- Chestnut Grove Camp Site
- Burr Oak State Park
- Burr Oak Cove Campground
- North Bend State Park Campground
- Leith Run Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Lake Washington in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Washington
Where does the data for Lake Washington come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Washington.