Lake Sam Hill dam
Lake Sam Hill
Lake Sam Hill, also known as Dilly's Mill Camp Lake, is a private reservoir located in Pocahontas, West Virginia, near Thorny Creek. Built in 1958 for recreational purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. With a surface area of 16 acres and a drainage area of 1.51 square miles, this picturesque lake offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Sam Hill is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Although its condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam has a significant hazard potential, prompting a regular inspection frequency of every 3 years. While no emergency action plan (EAP) is currently prepared, the reservoir's risk management measures and inundation maps are yet to be determined, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment to safeguard this vital water resource.
Despite its tranquil surroundings and recreational appeal, Lake Sam Hill poses a significant risk if not properly managed and maintained. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is essential for stakeholders and authorities to prioritize the safety and sustainability of this reservoir to protect both the environment and the community it serves. By implementing proactive measures and adhering to regulatory guidelines, Lake Sam Hill can continue to be a valuable asset for water enthusiasts while mitigating potential risks associated with its operation.
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 Sam Hill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Back Creek Near Sunrise | 37 cfs | → |
| Back Creek At Sunrise | 60 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Sunrise | 168 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Buckeye | 547 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Mountain Grove | 578 cfs | → |
| Jackson River Near Bacova | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Sam Hill.
Boat launches
- Lake Sherwood Road Greenbrier County
- Buffalo Fork Road Pocahontas County
- Jackson River Canoe Access Points
- Walton Tract Canoe Access Point
- Summit Lake Trail No 201 Greenbrier County
- Douthat State Park Road Bath County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Dry Fork
Paddle runs
- Segment B--Pump Storage Lake To Blowing Springs Campground
- Segment B--Northern Boundary, Hidden Valley Tract To Southern Boundary Of Hidden Valley Tract
- Segment C--Southern Boundary Hidden Valley Tract To Mcclintic Bridge
- Segment A--State Route 39 At Blowing Springs Campground To Lake Moomaw
- Tea Creek To Three Forks
- National Forest Land To Tea Creek
Track Lake Sam Hill 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 Sam Hill
Where does the data for Lake Sam Hill 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 Significant 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 Sam Hill.