New Creek Dam No.17 dam
New Creek Dam No.17
New Creek Dam No.17, also known as Ash Spring Run, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Mineral County, West Virginia. Built in 1960 by USDA NRCS, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Ash Spring Run. With a height of 68.3 feet and a storage capacity of 534 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding areas from potential inundation during heavy rains and storms.
Managed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Water and Waste Management, New Creek Dam No.17 has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, yet is in satisfactory condition after a recent inspection in 2015. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 11,841.4 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2018, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure.
With its strategic location in the Pittsburgh District and oversight by state regulatory agencies, New Creek Dam No.17 stands as a vital component in the region's water resource management system. As a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam exemplifies the concerted efforts to mitigate flood risks and safeguard communities against potential disasters, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance practices in ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure.
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 New Creek Dam No.17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Abram Creek At Oakmont | 236 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 2,780 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Kitzmiller | 1,210 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Luke | 3,810 cfs | → |
| Georges Creek At Franklin | 244 cfs | → |
| Savage Riv Bl Savage Riv Dam Near Bloomington | 779 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near New Creek Dam No.17.
Boat launches
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Springfield Pike Hampshire County
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Allegany County
- Kimsey Run Road Hardy County
- South Access`
Campgrounds
- Robert W. Craig Memorial Campground
- Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
- Abram’S Creek Retreat & Campground
- Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest
- Lost Land Run - Potomac State Forest
- Big Run State Park
Fishing spots
- Savage River Reservoir
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Georges Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
- Broadford Lake
- Deep Creek Lake
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Jake Hill Road Bridge To Shreve Store
- Perennial Stream At Forks To Dolly Sods Wilderness Boundary
- The West Virginia 259 Bridge South Of Wardensville To Ends Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- High Ridge Run To Outskirts Of Hopeville
Track New Creek Dam No.17 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 New Creek Dam No.17
Where does the data for New Creek Dam No.17 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 New Creek Dam No.17.