Crystal Lake dam
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake in West Virginia is a privately owned water resource that serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, completed in 1924, stands at 17 feet tall and holds a storage capacity of 192 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 27 acres and is located in Doddridge County, specifically in Josephs Mills, making it a picturesque spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
The dam is regulated and inspected by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring that it meets safety standards and poses no immediate risks. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in satisfactory condition, with the last inspection conducted in September 2012. The emergency action plan for Crystal Lake was last revised in February 2018, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain the dam's safety and minimize potential risks to the surrounding area.
With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, Crystal Lake provides a serene escape for visitors seeking recreational activities in the heart of West Virginia. As a well-regulated and adequately maintained water resource, the lake offers a safe environment for swimming, fishing, and boating, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its modern amenities and regulatory oversight, ensures that Crystal Lake remains a treasured gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
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 Crystal Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Island Creek At Little | 103 cfs | → |
| Ohio River Above Sardis | 27,600 cfs | → |
| W.F. River At Butcherville | 58 cfs | → |
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
| Little Muskingum River At Bloomfield Oh | 37 cfs | → |
| West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Lake.
Boat launches
- County Route 5/6 Ritchie County
- New Matamoras Village Ramp
- Frontier Boat Launch
- West Adams Street Paden City
- Monroe County Park District Ramp
- Clarington Village Ramp
Campgrounds
- North Bend State Park Campground
- Leith Run Recreation Area
- Ring Mill Campground
- Lamping Homestead Recreation Area
- Lane Farm Campground
- Cedar Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake
Where does the data for Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake.