Upper Smith Dam dam
Upper Smith Dam
Upper Smith Dam in Wood, West Virginia, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation. Completed in 1955, the earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet. Situated on UT Neal Run, the dam spans 450 feet and covers an area of 4 acres. Despite its recreational purpose, the dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition, last inspected in 2015.
Managed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the dam is subject to state regulations and inspections. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2009, and there are no inundation maps or risk assessments available. With its location near Parkersburg and the Huntington District, Upper Smith Dam presents both a leisurely escape for visitors and a potential concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its high hazard potential and poor condition rating.
As an integral part of the local landscape, Upper Smith Dam serves as a recreational hub while also warranting attention for its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. The dam's association with UT Neal Run and its proximity to Parkersburg make it a notable feature in Wood County, West Virginia. This site offers an intriguing mix of natural beauty and potential risks, making it a point of interest for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Upper Smith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Kanawha River At Palestine | 216 cfs | → |
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 19 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek Below Whipple Oh | 54 cfs | → |
| Muskingum River At Beverly Oh | 5,490 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 260 cfs | → |
| West Fork Duck Creek At Macksburg Oh | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- Belpre Public Ramp
- Northwest Drive 598, Wood County
- Cherry Blossom Lane Washington County
- Athens Boat And Ski Club
- Coolville Ramp
- Beverly Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lane Farm Campground
- North Bend State Park Campground
- Chestnut Grove Camp Site
- Leith Run Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Upper Smith 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 Upper Smith Dam
Where does the data for Upper Smith 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 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 Upper Smith Dam.