Cedar Branch Dam dam
Cedar Branch Dam
Cedar Branch Dam, located in Fayette, West Virginia, stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate impacts. Built in 1979 for recreational purposes, this private-owned earth dam spans 336 feet in length and reaches a height of 23.3 feet, with a storage capacity of 115.6 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the Cedar Branch river, not only offers recreational opportunities but also serves as a critical infrastructure for water conservation in the region.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Cedar Branch Dam holds a high hazard potential, prompting a biennial inspection frequency to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations. The dam, regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DWWM), holds a state permit for operation and undergoes regular inspections to uphold safety standards. With its strategic location and critical role in water management, Cedar Branch Dam serves as a vital asset in the region's water resource infrastructure, showcasing the importance of sustainable practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates take note of Cedar Branch Dam, its significance as a recreational and water conservation structure underscores the ongoing challenges and opportunities in managing water resources amidst a changing climate. With a commitment to safety, regulation, and sustainability, Cedar Branch Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptation in the face of climate impacts, highlighting the crucial role of infrastructure in safeguarding our water supply for current and future generations.
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 Cedar Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River At Thurmond | 8,940 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Raleigh | 23 cfs | → |
| Kanawha River At Kanawha Falls | 7,040 cfs | → |
| Meadow River At Nallen | 606 cfs | → |
| Gauley River Above Belva | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Whitesville | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cedar Branch Dam.
Boat launches
- Stone Cliff Trail Fayette County
- Johnstown Road Raleigh County
- State Route 41 Fayette County
- Fayette Station Road Fayetteville
- Raleigh County
- Clayton-Judson Road Summers County
Campgrounds
- Summit Bechtel Reserve
- Army Camp
- Chestnut Creek Campground
- Babcock State Park
- Primitive Camping
- Ray's Campground
Paddle runs
- The Route U.S. 19 Bridge To The Confluence With The Gauley River
- Meadow Creek Junction To The Route U.S. 19 Bridge
- Upper Gauley - Summersville Dam To Mason Branch
- Begins Below Summersville Lake To The Town Of Swiss
- Bluestone Dam To Sandstone
- Bluestone Dam To Gauley Bridge
Track Cedar Branch 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 Cedar Branch Dam
Where does the data for Cedar Branch 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 High 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 Cedar Branch Dam.