Burnsville Dam, also known as Burnsville Lake, is a federal dam located in Braxton, West Virginia, along the Little Kanawha River.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1976 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the primary purpose of this rockfill dam is flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for fish and wildlife, recreation, and other purposes. Standing at 89 feet tall with a dam length of 1400 feet, Burnsville Dam has a storage capacity of 65,900 acre-feet and a surface area of 968 acres.
Despite its strong performance in flood risk reduction, Burnsville Dam is considered a moderate to high-risk dam due to potential issues during rare high flood events. The dam poses a hazard to downstream communities such as Burnsville, Glenville, Grantsville, and Parkersburg, with an estimated 4,500 people and $396.7 million worth of property at risk in the event of a breach. To manage these risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers regularly inspects and monitors the dam, implements risk reduction measures, and conducts emergency response exercises to ensure the safety of the surrounding areas. Overall, Burnsville Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for flood control and water resource management in the region.
Year Completed |
1976 |
Dam Length |
1400 |
River Or Stream |
LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Rockfill |
Surface Area |
968 |
Hydraulic Height |
68 |
Drainage Area |
165 |
Nid Storage |
65900 |
Structural Height |
89 |
Outlet Gates |
Slide (sluice gate) - 5, Tainter (radial) - 3, Valve - 3 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
89 |
L Kanawha River Nr Wildcat
|
98cfs |
West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston
|
62cfs |
Elk River Below Webster Springs
|
333cfs |
W.F. River At Butcherville
|
102cfs |
Birch River At Herold
|
11cfs |
Buckhannon River At Alton
|
113cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Riffle Run
|
||
Riffle Run Campground
|
||
Bulltown
|
||
Stonewall Jackson State Park
|
||
Flatwoods KOA
|
||
Gerald R. Freeman
|