Morgantown Lock And Dam Dam
Morgantown Lock And Dam
Morgantown Lock and Dam, also known as Morgantown Pool, is a federal structure located in Monongalia, West Virginia, along the Monongahela River. Completed in 1950 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this gravity dam serves primarily for navigation purposes, featuring a multi-arch core design and a hydraulic height of 36 feet. With a length of 522 feet and a storage capacity of 6,200 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and regulating flow along the river.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is subject to periodic inspections and risk assessments to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. USACE actively manages flood risks associated with the dam by monitoring its condition, prioritizing maintenance activities, and collaborating with local emergency managers to develop emergency action plans and evacuation procedures. The agency also engages with the public to raise awareness about the dam and promote preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance and repairs to mitigate risks and ensure the dam's continued operation.
In the face of changing weather patterns and potential impacts from severe weather events, USACE remains committed to safeguarding the Morgantown Lock and Dam and addressing any flood risk challenges that may arise. By implementing proactive risk management measures, such as ongoing monitoring, emergency planning, and community engagement, the agency strives to uphold the safety and resilience of this vital water resource infrastructure in the region.
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 Morgantown Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 36 cfs | → |
| Dunkard Creek At Shannopin | 61 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 69 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek At Rockville | 81 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River Near Masontown | 3,050 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 1,170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgantown Lock And 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 Morgantown Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Morgantown Lock And 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 Low 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.