Laurel Creek Dam Dam
Laurel Creek Dam
Located in Athens, West Virginia, Laurel Creek Dam is a concrete structure completed in 1975 primarily for water supply purposes. With a height of 22 feet and a length of 205 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 319 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 42 acres. The dam is regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Situated on Laurel Creek, the dam poses a significant hazard potential and has an inspection frequency of 3 years. While its condition assessment is not rated, the dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion. Emergency action plans have not been prepared, and the dam's risk assessment and management measures remain unspecified. Despite these gaps, Laurel Creek Dam plays a crucial role in providing water supply to the local community and serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure and environmental stewardship in West Virginia.
As a key component of the water supply infrastructure in Mercer County, Laurel Creek Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change. With a capacity to hold 319 acre-feet of water and a significant hazard potential, the dam serves as a critical resource for the region. As efforts to address the impacts of climate change intensify, understanding the role of structures like Laurel Creek Dam becomes essential for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water resources in West Virginia.
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 Laurel Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River At Glen Lyn | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Bluestone River Near Pipestem | 182 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Narrows | 98 cfs | → |
| Bluestone River At Falls Mills | 54 cfs | → |
| Walker Creek At Bane | 77 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Hilldale | 425 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Creek Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Laurel Creek Dam
Where does the data for Laurel Creek 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 below 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.
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.