Compressor Lake Dam dam
Compressor Lake Dam
Compressor Lake Dam in Hampshire, West Virginia, is a vital structure managed by a public utility for flood risk reduction along the Grassy Lick stream. Completed in 1971, this earth-type dam stands at 19 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a length of 530 feet, providing crucial protection for the surrounding area. With a drainage area of 2223 square miles, the dam serves to control water flow and minimize the risk of flooding in the region.
Despite its age, Compressor Lake Dam remains in satisfactory condition, as assessed during its last inspection in October 2018. The dam's significant hazard potential underscores its importance in safeguarding the local community and infrastructure from potential water-related disasters. While primarily built for flood risk reduction, the dam also offers recreational opportunities, making it a multifunctional structure that contributes to both safety and leisure in the area.
As a regulated and inspected facility in West Virginia, Compressor Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. Its presence highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community it serves.
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 Compressor Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Waites Run Near Wardensville | 8 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield | 226 cfs | → |
| Patterson Creek Near Headsville | 20 cfs | → |
| So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield | 36 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Winchester | 39 cfs | → |
| Hogue Creek Near Hayfield | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Compressor Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Springfield Pike Hampshire County
- Kimsey Run Road Hardy County
- Strasburg Trail Strasburg
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Allegany County
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Bonds Landing Road Allegany County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- White Sulphur Pond
- Battie Mixon Ponds
- Orchard Pond
- Town Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
- North Branch Potomac River
Paddle runs
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- The West Virginia 259 Bridge South Of Wardensville To Ends Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
Track Compressor Lake 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 Compressor Lake Dam
Where does the data for Compressor Lake 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 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 Compressor Lake Dam.