List of dams and reservoirs in West Virginia facts for kids

Dams and reservoirs are important structures that help us manage water. A dam is a large barrier built across a river to hold back water. This creates a reservoir, which is like a big, artificial lake. These reservoirs store water for many uses, such as drinking water, generating electricity, controlling floods, and providing places for boating and fishing.

In West Virginia, there are many dams and reservoirs. Some of them are very large. A "major dam" is usually at least 50 feet (about 15 meters) tall and can hold a lot of water. Or, it can be any height but hold an even larger amount of water. These structures are vital for the state's water supply and safety.

Dams and Reservoirs in West Virginia

Many dams in West Virginia are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This is a part of the U.S. Army that builds and maintains many public works projects, including dams and waterways. Other dams might be privately owned or managed by state agencies.

Here is a list of some important dams and their reservoirs in West Virginia:

• Beech Fork Dam, which creates Beech Fork Lake. It is managed by the USACE.
• Belleville Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This dam is also managed by the USACE and is on the border with Ohio.
• Bluestone Dam, which forms Bluestone Lake. It helps control floods and is managed by the USACE.
• Brushy Fork Coal Impoundment
• Burnsville Dam, which creates Burnsville Lake. This dam is managed by the USACE.
• Cumberland Dam, which forms an unnamed reservoir on the Potomac River. This dam is privately owned and is on the border with Maryland.
• East Lynn Dam, which creates East Lynn Lake. It is managed by the USACE.
• Hannibal Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Hildebrand Lock and Dam, found on the Monongahela River. It is managed by the USACE.
• Jennings Randolph Dam, which creates Jennings Randolph Lake. This USACE dam is on the border with Maryland.
• Little Beaver Dam, which forms Little Beaver Lake. It is managed by the West Virginia Division of Commerce.
• London Locks and Dam, located on the Kanawha River. It is managed by the USACE.
• Marmet Locks and Dam, also on the Kanawha River. This dam is managed by the USACE.
• Morgantown Lock and Dam, found on the Monongahela River. It is managed by the USACE.
• New Cumberland Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Opekiska Lock and Dam, found on the Monongahela River. It is managed by the USACE.
• Pike Island Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Power Plant and Dam No. 4, which forms an unnamed reservoir on the Potomac River. This dam is privately owned and is on the border with Maryland.
• Power Plant and Dam No. 5, which also forms an unnamed reservoir on the Potomac River. It is privately owned and on the Maryland border.
• R. D. Bailey Dam, which creates R. D. Bailey Lake. It is managed by the USACE.
• Racine Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Robert C. Byrd Lock and Dam, also on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Stonewall Jackson Dam, which forms Stonewall Jackson Lake. It is managed by the USACE.
• Summersville Dam, which creates Summersville Lake. This dam is managed by the USACE.
• Sutton Dam, which forms Sutton Lake. It is managed by the USACE.
• Tygart River Reservoir Dam, which creates Tygart River Reservoir. It is managed by the USACE.
• Wells Lock and Dam, located on the Little Kanawha River. This USACE dam is now closed.
• Willow Island Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River. This USACE dam is on the border with Ohio.
• Winfield Locks and Dam, located on the Kanawha River. It is managed by the USACE.

See also

• List of dam removals in West Virginia

Images for kids

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  Stonewall Jackson Lake

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  Tygart River Reservoir Dam

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  Burnsville Dam, Burnsville Lake