Lough Lake dam
Lough Lake
Lough Lake, located in Monongalia, West Virginia, is a privately owned earth dam structure that was completed in 1950. With a dam height of 24.8 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 24.8 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Little Indian Creek. The lake covers a surface area of 2 acres and has a drainage area of 0.33 square miles.
Despite its importance, Lough Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of December 2012. The dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain safety features such as spillways and outlet gates. Given its location in a residential area in OSGOOD, the safety of nearby residents could be at risk in the event of a failure. The last inspection date was in February 2017, with a recommended inspection frequency of every 2 years.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be interested in monitoring the condition of Lough Lake, as it serves as a vital structure for water management in the area. With its high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, there is a need for continued attention and potentially remedial actions to ensure the safety and integrity of this dam. Regular inspections and maintenance efforts are crucial to mitigating risks and safeguarding the surrounding community and environment from potential hazards associated with dam failure.
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 Lough Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 27 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 73 cfs | → |
| Dunkard Creek At Shannopin | 74 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 748 cfs | → |
| Monongahela River Near Masontown | 2,120 cfs | → |
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lough Lake.
Boat launches
- Caperton Trail 371, Star City
- Mon River Trail South Marion County
- Mon River Trail North Monongalia County
- Point Marion
- New Geneva
- Glassworks
Campgrounds
- Mason - Dixon Historical Park
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Chestnut Ridge Regional Park
- Tygart Lake State Park
- Tall Oaks Campground
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Snowy Creek
- Deep Creek Lake
- Broadford Lake
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Savage River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- Enter Otter Creek Wilderness To Exit Otter Creek Wilderness
Track Lough Lake 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 Lough Lake
Where does the data for Lough Lake 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 Lough Lake.