Mountain Valley Dam Dam
Mountain Valley Dam
Mountain Valley Dam, also known as Jumping Branch-Nimitz, is a key flood risk reduction structure located in Summers, West Virginia. Owned by the local government and designed by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 37 feet high with a hydraulic height of 32 feet, completed in 1971. With a storage capacity of 1420 acre-feet, it serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Jumping Branch river.
The dam, constructed with stone core and supported by rock and soil foundations, covers a surface area of 39 acres and has a drainage area of 2.84 square miles. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in June 2015. With a moderate risk rating of 3, the dam is regularly inspected every 2 years to ensure its safety and functionality. With uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, Mountain Valley Dam plays a crucial role in managing floodwaters and protecting downstream areas in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mountain Valley Dam offers a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to mitigate flood risks in the Mountain State. As a regulated and permitted structure under the supervision of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the dam showcases the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from potential water-related disasters. With a history of serving its purpose effectively for over five decades, Mountain Valley Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of local and federal agencies in promoting water security and resilience in West Virginia.
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 Mountain Valley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bluestone River Near Pipestem | 295 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Hilldale | 673 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Raleigh | 33 cfs | → |
| Greenbrier River At Alderson | 495 cfs | → |
| New River At Glen Lyn | 2,290 cfs | → |
| New River At Thurmond | 4,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Valley Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Mountain Valley Dam
Where does the data for Mountain Valley 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 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 below 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.
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.