Sutton Dam dam
Sutton Dam
Sutton Dam, also known as Sutton Lake, is a gravity dam located on the Elk River in Braxton, West Virginia. Built in 1960 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam primarily serves as a flood risk reduction structure. With a hydraulic height of 190 feet and a structural height of 210 feet, Sutton Dam has a storage capacity of 265,300 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1520 acres.
Despite its high hazard potential, Sutton Dam is well-maintained and monitored by the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage flood risks effectively. The dam features multiple outlet gates and a controlled spillway to regulate water flow and maintain structural integrity. The agency has an emergency action plan in place, regularly updated to ensure preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies. Through risk assessment and community engagement, USACE works collaboratively with local authorities to minimize risks and ensure public safety around Sutton Dam.
As a vital piece of infrastructure in the region, Sutton Dam plays a crucial role in protecting downstream communities and managing water resources. With ongoing risk management measures in place and a commitment to safety, the dam continues to serve as a key asset for flood control and water management in the area.
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 Sutton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Birch River At Herold | 11 cfs | → |
| L Kanawha River Nr Wildcat | 50 cfs | → |
| Elk River Below Webster Springs | 311 cfs | → |
| Williams River At Dyer | 128 cfs | → |
| Elk River At Clay | 11,200 cfs | → |
| Gauley River Near Craigsville | 568 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sutton Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
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
- The U.S. Forest Service Cranberry Campground To The Confluence With The Gauley River
- Rabbit Run To Private Land .5 Mile From Richwood
- Begins Below Summersville Lake To The Town Of Swiss
Track Sutton 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 Sutton Dam
Where does the data for Sutton 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 Sutton Dam.