Upper Deckers No. 5 dam
Upper Deckers No. 5
Upper Deckers No. 5, also known as Cane's Run, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Preston, West Virginia. Built in 1967 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 63 feet and has a hydraulic height of 43 feet, serving to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events along Canes Creek. With a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 675 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Department of Water Resources Management, Upper Deckers No. 5 is considered to have significant hazard potential and is inspected every two years to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in 2014, with emergency action plans in place to address any potential risks. While the dam's spillway is uncontrolled, its operations are closely monitored to mitigate any potential flooding threats to the surrounding communities.
With its strategic location and design, Upper Deckers No. 5 continues to be a key component in the region's water resource management efforts. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, structures like this play a critical role in safeguarding communities from the increasing risks of flooding. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the importance of infrastructure like Upper Deckers No. 5 in maintaining the resilience of our water systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Upper Deckers No. 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cheat River At Albright | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek At Rockville | 91 cfs | → |
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 41 cfs | → |
| Three Fork Creek Nr Grafton | 73 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley R At Tygart Dam Nr Grafton | 777 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 767 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Deckers No. 5.
Boat launches
- Mon River Trail North Monongalia County
- Caperton Trail 371, Star City
- Mon River Trail South Marion County
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- Point Marion
- New Geneva
Campgrounds
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Chestnut Ridge Regional Park
- Tygart Lake State Park
- Swallow Falls State Park
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Mason - Dixon Historical Park
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
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
Track Upper Deckers No. 5 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 Upper Deckers No. 5
Where does the data for Upper Deckers No. 5 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 Significant 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 Upper Deckers No. 5.