Pipestem Lake dam
Pipestem Lake
Pipestem Lake, also known as Long Branch Lake, is a captivating water resource nestled in West Virginia's Summers County. Managed by the state, this picturesque lake serves as a recreational hotspot for locals and tourists alike. The dam, completed in 1966, stands at an impressive height of 40 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 410 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 17 acres.
With the Long Branch River flowing through its waters, Pipestem Lake offers a serene escape for water and climate enthusiasts. Boasting satisfactory condition assessment and a high hazard potential, the dam is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its primary purpose being labeled as "Other," the lake stands as a vital resource for the surrounding community, offering not just recreational opportunities but also serving as a key water management structure in the region.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of West Virginia, Pipestem Lake stands as a testament to the state's commitment to water resource management. With a history dating back to the 1960s, the dam continues to play a crucial role in regulating water levels and providing a safe environment for outdoor activities. So, whether you're a water sports enthusiast or a nature lover, Pipestem Lake is a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the region's aquatic landscapes.
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 Pipestem Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bluestone River Near Pipestem | 182 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Hilldale | 9,060 cfs | → |
| New River At Glen Lyn | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Narrows | 144 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Raleigh | 23 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Alderson | 9,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pipestem Lake.
Boat launches
- New River Road Raleigh County
- Raleigh County
- Island Loop Trail Raleigh County
- Clayton-Judson Road Summers County
- Johnstown Road Raleigh County
Campgrounds
- Pipestem Resort State Park
- Bull Falls - Bluestone Wma
- Bluestone State Park
- Bertha - Bluestone Wma
- Mouth Of Indian Creek - Bluestone Wma
- Shanklins Ferry - Bluestone Wma
Paddle runs
- Bluestone Dam To Gauley Bridge
- Bluestone Dam To Sandstone
- The U.S. Route 460 Bridge In Glen Lyn, Virginia To The Maximum Summer Pool Elevation Of Bluestone Lake, South Of Hinton, West Virginia
- Jefferson Nf Boundary Near Confluence With Nettle Hollow To Confluence With Laurel Branch
- Jefferson Nf Boundary (Above Cascades Fall) To Jefferson Nf Boundary (Below Cascades Fall)
- Meadow Creek Junction To The Route U.S. 19 Bridge
Track Pipestem 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 Pipestem Lake
Where does the data for Pipestem 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 Pipestem Lake.