Bruceton Mills Dam dam
Bruceton Mills Dam
Bruceton Mills Dam, also known as Old Mill Dam, is a historic concrete structure located in Preston, West Virginia, along the Big Sandy Creek. Built in 1873, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet, making it an essential water resource for the surrounding area.
Managed by a private owner, Bruceton Mills Dam is regulated and inspected by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DWWM). Its condition was last assessed in December 2014 and deemed satisfactory with a low hazard potential. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide reliable water storage and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. With a surface area of 10 acres and a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, the dam remains a vital asset for both water supply and recreational activities in the region.
Although the dam has not undergone significant modifications over the years, its historical significance and functional purpose make it a valuable asset in the area. Its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition ensure the safety and stability of the structure for years to come. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the blend of historical charm and practical utility that Bruceton Mills Dam offers to the community, making it a noteworthy landmark in the region.
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 Bruceton Mills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy Creek At Rockville | 107 cfs | → |
| Cheat River At Albright | 658 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Friendsville | 178 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Friendsville | 23 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Ohiopyle | 804 cfs | → |
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bruceton Mills Dam.
Boat launches
- Jockey Hollow
- Mill Run Road Garrett County
- Somerfield North Boat Ramp
- Tubs Run
- Point Marion
- Mon River Trail North Monongalia County
Campgrounds
- Chestnut Ridge Regional Park
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Tall Oaks Campground
- Camp Sonrise Mountain Christian Retreat Center
- Mill Run - Youghiogheny River Lake
- Tub Run Rec Area - Youghiogheny River Lake
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Deep Creek Lake
- Snowy Creek
- Broadford Lake
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Savage River Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
Track Bruceton Mills Dam 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 Bruceton Mills Dam
Where does the data for Bruceton Mills 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 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 Bruceton Mills Dam.