Right Fork Dam dam
Right Fork Dam
Right Fork Dam, located in Weston, West Virginia, is a privately owned structure used primarily for recreation on the Murphy Creek. Standing at a height of 29 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 32 acre-feet, making it a key feature in the local landscape. While the dam's purpose is for recreational use, its condition is assessed as fair, with an undetermined hazard potential. The dam was last inspected in April 2015, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and monitoring to ensure its structural integrity.
Managed by the West Virginia Division of Water and Waste Management, Right Fork Dam is regulated and inspected by state authorities to ensure compliance with safety standards. Although its spillway type and discharge capacity are not specified, the dam's location and purpose make it a valuable resource for both water enthusiasts and climate advocates. With its proximity to the Huntington District and a surrounding drainage area, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Despite its fair condition and undetermined hazard potential, Right Fork Dam continues to provide recreational opportunities for visitors in Lewis County, West Virginia. With a focus on safety and maintenance, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper infrastructure management in safeguarding water resources and addressing potential climate impacts. As a privately owned structure with state oversight, Right Fork Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of environmental stewardship and public recreation in the local community.
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 Right Fork Dam -- 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 Right Fork Dam.
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 Right Fork 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 Right Fork Dam
Where does the data for Right Fork 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 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 Right Fork Dam.