Opekiska Lock And Dam Dam
Opekiska Lock And Dam
Opekiska Lock and Dam, located on the Monongahela River in Morgantown, West Virginia, was completed in 1967 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the primary purpose of navigation. This gravity dam, with a hydraulic height of 36 feet and a structural height of 52 feet, spans 478 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 14,400 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway width of 336 feet and a single lock measuring 600 feet in length and 84 feet in width, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and maintaining the structural integrity of the river system.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is subject to very high (1) risk assessment due to the inherent risks associated with flood management. The USACE actively manages these risks by monitoring the dam's condition, prioritizing risk-reducing activities, and collaborating with local emergency managers to prepare for potential dam-related emergencies. Regular maintenance and updates to the emergency action plan are key components of the risk management strategy, ensuring the safety and stability of the Opekiska Lock and Dam for the surrounding community and water resource enthusiasts alike. Further details on the dam's risk management measures and flood risk mitigation efforts are continuously being added to enhance the understanding of its operations and safety protocols.
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 Opekiska Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 170 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 84 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 1,350 cfs | → |
| Dunkard Creek At Shannopin | 142 cfs | → |
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 507 cfs | → |
| Three Fork Creek Nr Grafton | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Opekiska 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 Opekiska Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Opekiska 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.