Newpage Westvaco Dam dam
Newpage Westvaco Dam
Newpage Westvaco Dam, also known as Luke Mill Dam, is a historic structure located in Allegany, Maryland, along the Potomac River. Built in 1913 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, this privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and stretches 407 feet in length. Its primary purpose is to provide water supply, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a drainage area of 404 square miles.
Despite its age, the Newpage Westvaco Dam is in fair condition and poses a low hazard potential according to recent assessments. It is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, which ensures regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and needle outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1,262 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area is at moderate risk of potential hazards, as identified by risk assessments.
Overall, the Newpage Westvaco Dam is an essential component of the water supply infrastructure in the region, serving the community of Luke and beyond. Its historical significance, combined with its functional design and maintained condition, makes it a notable site for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and environmental management.
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 Newpage Westvaco Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Potomac River At Luke | 316 cfs | → |
| Georges Creek At Franklin | 26 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 244 cfs | → |
| Savage Riv Bl Savage Riv Dam Near Bloomington | 58 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek Near Swanton | 154 cfs | → |
| Savage River Near Barton | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Newpage Westvaco Dam.
Boat launches
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Allegany County
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- Springfield Pike Hampshire County
- South Access`
- North Access
Campgrounds
- Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
- Robert W. Craig Memorial Campground
- Big Run State Park
- Savage River State Forest Dispersed
- New Germany State Park
- New Germany State Park Campground
Fishing spots
- Savage River Reservoir
- Georges Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Sand Spring Run
- Frostburg Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Jake Hill Road Bridge To Shreve Store
- Perennial Stream At Forks To Dolly Sods Wilderness Boundary
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
Track Newpage Westvaco Dam 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 Newpage Westvaco Dam
Where does the data for Newpage Westvaco Dam 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 Low 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 Newpage Westvaco Dam.