Lake Riley dam
Lake Riley
Lake Riley, located in Lewis County, West Virginia, is a private water resource managed for recreational purposes. The earth dam, completed in 1948, stands at a height of 28 feet and holds a maximum storage capacity of 93 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 8 acres and is fed by Murphy Creek, providing a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of 2015, Lake Riley's hazard potential remains undetermined, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring. The state regulatory agency, DWWM, oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam structure. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is crucial for stakeholders to stay informed and prepared for any potential risks or emergencies that may arise.
With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, Lake Riley serves as a valuable water resource for the community. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the preservation and responsible management of this reservoir are essential. By promoting sustainability and resilience in water resource management practices, Lake Riley can continue to provide a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife alike in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Riley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston | 31 cfs | → |
| W.F. River At Butcherville | 79 cfs | → |
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
| L Kanawha River Nr Wildcat | 39 cfs | → |
| Sand Run Near Buckhannon | 8 cfs | → |
| Buckhannon River At Alton | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Riley.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Stonewall Jackson State Park
- Riffle Run
- Riffle Run Campground
- Bulltown
- Cedar Creek State Park
- Flatwoods Koa
Paddle runs
- The Cora Brown Bridge In Nicholas County To The Confluence With The Elk River In Braxton County
- The Junction With Williams River To The Junction With Panther Creek
- Three Forks To Spice Run
- Us 250 To Mcgee Run
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
- Mcgee Run To .5 Mile Above Route 22
Track Lake Riley 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 Riley
Where does the data for Lake Riley 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 Undetermined 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 Riley.