Salem Fork No.11a dam
Salem Fork No.11a
Salem Fork No.11a is a vital earth dam located in Harrison, West Virginia, designed by the USDA NRCS to primarily reduce flood risks along the Salem Fork river. Constructed in 1954, this dam stands at a height of 23.8 feet, with a hydraulic height of 21.8 feet, and a length of 333 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 77 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 8 acres, serving as a crucial structure in the area's flood risk reduction efforts.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Salem Fork No.11a is classified as having a high hazard potential, yet is currently deemed to be in satisfactory condition. The dam's last inspection in November 2017 revealed its structural integrity to be sound, with an inspection frequency of every two years. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, the dam's emergency action plan and inundation maps are yet to be fully developed, highlighting the ongoing need for comprehensive risk management measures to ensure the safety and protection of the surrounding community and environment.
With its significant contribution to flood risk reduction in the region, Salem Fork No.11a serves as a critical infrastructure that requires continual monitoring and maintenance to uphold its functionality and safeguard against potential hazards. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and management of such essential structures is crucial for promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing risks posed by extreme weather events.
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 Salem Fork No.11a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
| W.F. River At Butcherville | 58 cfs | → |
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 174 cfs | → |
| West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston | 20 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 748 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Salem Fork No.11a.
Boat launches
- Lewis County
- State Park Trail Lewis County
- County Route 5/6 Ritchie County
- Monroe County Park District Ramp
- West Adams Street Paden City
- Madison Street Buckhannon
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Salem Fork No.11a 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 Salem Fork No.11a
Where does the data for Salem Fork No.11a 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 Salem Fork No.11a.