R. D. Bailey Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids R. D. Bailey Lake |
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Dam
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 R. D. Bailey Lake
Location in West Virginia
R. D. Bailey Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wyoming / Mingo counties, West Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°36′00″N 81°49′20″W / 37.60000°N 81.82222°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Guyandotte River |
| Primary outflows | Guyandotte River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 1,043 feet (318 m) |
R. D. Bailey Lake is a large reservoir (an artificial lake) in West Virginia, USA. It is found in both Wyoming and Mingo Counties. The lake is about 3.3 miles (5.3 km) east of a town called Justice.
This important lake was named after Robert D. Bailey, Sr.. He was a respected judge, a person who kept a diary, and a well-known citizen from Pineville. The lake was officially named for him on July 4, 1967. It was then dedicated and opened in August 1980.
About the R. D. Bailey Dam
The R. D. Bailey Dam is a very tall structure. It stands about 310 feet (94 meters) high. The top of the dam stretches for 1,370 feet (418 meters) across the river.
How the Lake Works
The lake has different water levels depending on the time of year. In the winter, a "minimum pool" is kept. This means the lake has a surface area of about 440 acres (1.8 km²). This lower level helps manage water during colder months.
During the summer, the lake's water level is raised. This creates a "seasonal pool" with a surface area of about 630 acres (2.5 km²). This higher level is great for fun activities like boating and fishing. It also helps keep the water clean.
The main purpose of R. D. Bailey Lake is to control floods. Any extra space in the lake is saved for when there is a lot of rain. This helps protect towns and homes downstream from flooding.
Photo gallery
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Intake tower at the dam, which controls water flow.
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Water flowing out from the dam.
