Map of All 490 West Virginia Dams
West Virginia has 490 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 375 are classified as high hazard (77% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 40 West Virginia dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive West Virginia dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare West Virginia to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
West Virginia Dams by the Numbers
- 490 total dams in West Virginia
- 375 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 70 significant hazard
- 31 low hazard
- 56 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (54 poor, 2 unsatisfactory)
- 40 West Virginia dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in West Virginia
The tallest dam in West Virginia is Chess Refuse Disposal Area No. 1 at 780 feet, completed in unknown year. The 10 tallest West Virginia dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chess Refuse Disposal Area No. 1 | 780 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Boone |
| Delbarton Slurry Impoundment | 760 ft | 2004 | Other | Not Rated | Mingo |
| Killarney Slurry Impoundment | 657 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Raleigh |
| Jake Gore Slurry Impoundment | 610 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Boone |
| Brushy Fork Impoundment | 605 ft | 1996 | Tailings | Not Rated | Greenbrier |
| Aldrich Branch Slurry Impoundment | 560 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Mingo |
| Rocklick Slurry Impoundment | 540 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Boone |
| Jarrells Branch Slurry Impoundment | 520 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Boone |
| Rock House Branch Slurry Impoundment | 482 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Logan |
| Lotts Branch Slurry Impoundment | 478 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Boone |
High-Hazard West Virginia Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 40 dams in West Virginia. Notable examples:
- Upper Smith Dam (48 ft, Wood County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Laurel Creek Lake No.1 (47 ft, Mingo County) — Fish and Wildlife Pond, Poor condition
- Horse Creek Dam #1 (46 ft, Wyoming County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Schellhas Dam (41 ft, Ritchie County) — Other, Poor condition
- B & O Dam (41 ft, Preston County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in West Virginia
Dam safety in West Virginia is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in West Virginia?
West Virginia has 490 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 375 high hazard, 70 significant hazard, and 31 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in West Virginia?
The tallest dam in West Virginia is Chess Refuse Disposal Area No. 1 at 780 feet, completed in unknown year. It is primarily a tailings structure.
How many West Virginia dams are in poor condition?
56 West Virginia dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 40 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
