Spruce Knob Lake dam
Spruce Knob Lake
Spruce Knob Lake, located in West Virginia, is a captivating water resource managed by the USDA Forest Service. The lake, completed in 1952, serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing a habitat for various species and offering recreational opportunities to visitors. With a normal storage capacity of 170 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 228 acre-feet, Spruce Knob Lake covers an area of 25 acres and is fed by the Narrow Ridge Run.
The dam at Spruce Knob Lake is an Earth-type structure with a height of 23 feet and a length of 760 feet. The lake's spillway is controlled with a width of 2 feet, and the outlet gates consist of a slide (sluice gate). While the lake has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, it has not been rated for its condition assessment as of the most recent inspection in 2018. Despite this, Spruce Knob Lake remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the beauty of nature in West Virginia.
Managed and funded by the Forest Service, Spruce Knob Lake stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management practices. With its serene surroundings and diverse wildlife, this hidden gem offers a peaceful retreat for those looking to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of preserving water resources in a changing climate. Whether for fishing, wildlife observation, or simply enjoying a day by the water, Spruce Knob Lake is a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about water conservation and environmental stewardship.
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 Spruce Knob Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Potomac River At Franklin | 124 cfs | → |
| Shavers Fork Nr Cheat Bridge | 461 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Durbin | 568 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River Near Dailey | 164 cfs | → |
| Shavers Fork Below Bowden | 280 cfs | → |
| So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spruce Knob Lake.
Campgrounds
- Spruce Knob Lake Campground
- Gatewood Campground
- Back Ridge Shadows Campground
- Judy Springs
- Scenic Campground
- Laurel Fork
Fishing spots
- Dry Fork
- Briery Branch Day Use Area
- Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area
- Braley Pond Day Use Area
- Staunton Dam Day Use Area
- Tomahawk Pond Day Use Area
Paddle runs
- Trussel Run To Run North Of Judy Springs
- Run North Of Judy Springs To Private Land
- Forest Land At Entrance Of Laurel Fork South Wilderness To Exit Laurel Fork North Wilderness
- Private Land Above Falls Of Seneca To Whites Run
- Forks To Frazier Creek
- Mcgee Run To .5 Mile Above Route 22
Track Spruce Knob 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 Spruce Knob Lake
Where does the data for Spruce Knob 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 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 Spruce Knob Lake.