Terra Alta Lake dam
Terra Alta Lake
Terra Alta Lake in Preston, West Virginia, is a private water resource regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. With a primary purpose of recreation, this rockfill dam was completed in 1820 and spans 147 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 188 acre-feet. The lake covers 31 acres and is fed by Snowy Creek, offering a serene setting for water and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Despite its age, a recent inspection in 2015 deemed the dam's condition as satisfactory, although it holds a high hazard potential. With a documented emergency action plan and regular inspection frequency, Terra Alta Lake is well-maintained to ensure the safety of surrounding communities. The dam's structure and design reflect its historical significance, providing a glimpse into the region's water resource management practices over the centuries.
Visitors to Terra Alta Lake can enjoy recreational activities like fishing, boating, and hiking in a picturesque natural setting. The dam's historical and environmental significance, combined with its modern regulatory oversight, make it a compelling destination for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Terra Alta Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Youghiogheny River Near Oakland | 80 cfs | → |
| Cheat River At Albright | 923 cfs | → |
| Mcmillan F Near Fort Pendleton | 2 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Friendsville | 198 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek At Rockville | 72 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Friendsville | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Terra Alta Lake.
Boat launches
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- Mill Run Road Garrett County
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Jockey Hollow
- Somerfield North Boat Ramp
- Tubs Run
Campgrounds
- Swallow Falls State Park
- Deep Creek Lake State Park
- Lost Land Run - Potomac State Forest
- Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest
- Camp Sonrise Mountain Christian Retreat Center
- Abram’S Creek Retreat & Campground
Fishing spots
- Snowy Creek
- Deep Creek Lake
- Broadford Lake
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- 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
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
Track Terra Alta 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 Terra Alta Lake
Where does the data for Terra Alta 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 Terra Alta Lake.