Elk-Two Mile No.12 dam
Elk-Two Mile No.12
Elk-Two Mile No.12 is a significant Earth dam located in Charleston, West Virginia, designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1975 for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Elk-Two Mile river. The dam stands at an impressive 63 feet high, with a hydraulic height of 54 feet, providing a storage capacity of 220.2 acre-feet and a normal storage of 16 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is considered to be in fair condition with a high hazard potential, indicating the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood control.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 4044.5 cubic feet per second to manage excess water flow during heavy rainfall events. The dam's stone core and rock-soil foundations contribute to its structural integrity, while its 11.6-acre surface area and 170-foot length provide ample coverage along the Elk-Two Mile river. The dam is regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to assess its condition and identify any necessary risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
Overall, Elk-Two Mile No.12 serves as a vital infrastructure asset in the region's flood risk reduction efforts, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of water resource management systems. Its location in Kanawha County, West Virginia, underscores the significance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating the impact of climate change on local communities and ecosystems. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is essential to recognize the critical role that structures like Elk-Two Mile No.12 play in protecting our environment and enhancing resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.
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 Elk-Two Mile No.12 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kanawha River At Charleston | 6,480 cfs | → |
| Pocatalico River At Sissonville | 508 cfs | → |
| Elk River At Queen Shoals | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Big Coal River At Ashford | 155 cfs | → |
| Coal River At Tornado | 416 cfs | → |
| Gauley River Above Belva | 2,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk-Two Mile No.12.
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- The Route U.S. 19 Bridge To The Confluence With The Gauley River
- Begins Below Summersville Lake To The Town Of Swiss
- Upper Gauley - Summersville Dam To Mason Branch
- The Cora Brown Bridge In Nicholas County To The Confluence With The Elk River In Braxton County
- Meadow Creek Junction To The Route U.S. 19 Bridge
Track Elk-Two Mile No.12 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 Elk-Two Mile No.12
Where does the data for Elk-Two Mile No.12 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 Elk-Two Mile No.12.