Warm Springs No. 9 dam
Warm Springs No. 9
Warm Springs No. 9 is a key water resource structure located in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, on the Warm Spring Run. Owned by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Division of Water and Waste Management, this earth dam was designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1956 for flood risk reduction purposes. With a height of 32 feet and a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, Warm Springs No. 9 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding.
Despite its high hazard potential, Warm Springs No. 9 has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in October 2014. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status for this structure is not specified, but it meets regulatory guidelines for inspection, permitting, and enforcement. With its strategic location and vital role in flood risk reduction, Warm Springs No. 9 stands as a testament to effective water resource management in West Virginia.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Warm Springs No. 9 offers a fascinating case study in dam construction and management. From its design by the USDA NRCS to its regulatory oversight by the West Virginia Division of Water and Waste Management, this structure exemplifies the intricate network of agencies and professionals involved in maintaining critical infrastructure. With its impressive height, storage capacity, and historic significance, Warm Springs No. 9 serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization and environmental protection in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Warm Springs No. 9 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cacapon River Near Great Cacapon | 107 cfs | → |
| Potomac River At Hancock | 944 cfs | → |
| Sideling Hill Creek Near Bellegrove | 12 cfs | → |
| Back Creek Near Jones Springs | 20 cfs | → |
| Potomac River At Paw Paw | 791 cfs | → |
| Tuscarora Creek Above Martinsburg | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Warm Springs No. 9.
Boat launches
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Hancock
- Sleepy Creek Road Berkeley County
- Berkeley County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Little Orleans
- Bonds Landing Road Allegany County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- Leopards Mill Campsite
- Cacapon Junction Hiker Biker Campsite
- Cacapon Junction Campsite
- White Rock Hiker-Biker Campsite
- Little Pool Hiker Biker Campsite
- Little Pool Campsite
Fishing spots
- Sideling Hill Creek Put And Take Area
- Fifteenmile Creek
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Orchard Pond
- Town Creek
- Flintstone Creek
Paddle runs
- Begins South Of Largent To The Confluence With The Potomac At Great Cacapon
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
- Headwaters Adjacent To Fdt 573 To State Route 622 Bridge
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- State Route 675 At Edinburg, Va To State Highway 55 Southeast Of Strasburg, Va
Track Warm Springs No. 9 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 Warm Springs No. 9
Where does the data for Warm Springs No. 9 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 Warm Springs No. 9.