Laurel Creek Lake No.1 dam
Laurel Creek Lake No.1
Located in Mingo, West Virginia, Laurel Creek Lake No.1 is a state-owned rockfill dam completed in 1960 for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a height of 47 feet and a storage capacity of 785 acre-feet, this dam on Laurel Fork River covers a surface area of 27 acres and has a drainage area of 10.92 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Division of Water and Waste Management (DWWM) in West Virginia and is subject to regular inspections, with a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment.
The dam's normal storage capacity is 408 acre-feet, making it a significant resource for fish and wildlife conservation as well as recreational activities in the area. Despite its age, Laurel Creek Lake No.1 remains a vital water resource in the region, providing essential habitat for local flora and fauna. With a designated emergency action plan in place, the dam is prepared to address any potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities in case of emergencies.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in West Virginia, Laurel Creek Lake No.1 highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both ecological and safety purposes. With its strategic location and purposeful design, this dam serves as a testament to the state's commitment to managing water resources effectively while also preserving natural habitats and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
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 Laurel Creek Lake No.1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tug Fork At Kermit | 457 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Williamson | 356 cfs | → |
| East Fork Twelvepole Creek Near Dunlow | 9 cfs | → |
| Guyandotte River At Logan | 358 cfs | → |
| Guyandotte River At Man | 968 cfs | → |
| Johns Creek Near Meta | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Creek Lake No.1.
Boat launches
- Logan County
- Lick Creek Boat Dock
- Mudlick Branch Boat Ramp
- Bartram Branch Boat Ramp
- Lick Creek Pike County
Campgrounds
- Chief Logan State Park
- Cabwaylingo State Forest
- Hatfield’S Hideout Riverfront Cabins And Campground
- German Bridge - Dewey Lake
- Grapevine - Fishtrap Lake
- Jenny Wiley State Park
Paddle runs
Track Laurel Creek Lake No.1 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 Laurel Creek Lake No.1
Where does the data for Laurel Creek Lake No.1 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 Laurel Creek Lake No.1.