Upper Salem Dam dam
Upper Salem Dam
Upper Salem Dam, also known as Salem Aux. or Upper Dog Run, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Harrison, West Virginia. Owned by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 49 feet and was completed in 1970 with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. With a storage capacity of 634 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding and ensuring water resource sustainability.
Managed by the Huntington District of the USACE, Upper Salem Dam has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to assess its condition and safety. Despite being rated as fair in condition assessment, the dam remains a significant asset for the community, providing not only flood protection but also recreational opportunities. With a normal storage capacity of 450 acre-feet and a surface area of 22 acres, the dam not only serves as a flood control structure but also as a scenic spot for outdoor activities.
Situated on Dog's Run, Upper Salem Dam is regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to ensure compliance with state standards and safety protocols. With its strategic location and key role in flood risk reduction, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in safeguarding communities and their surroundings.
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 Upper Salem Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
| W.F. River At Butcherville | 64 cfs | → |
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 197 cfs | → |
| West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston | 20 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 741 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Salem Dam.
Boat launches
- Lewis County
- State Park Trail Lewis County
- County Route 5/6 Ritchie County
- Madison Street Buckhannon
- Monroe County Park District Ramp
- Mon River Trail South Marion County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Upper Salem 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 Upper Salem Dam
Where does the data for Upper Salem 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 Upper Salem Dam.