Flat Top Lake Dam

BEAVERPOND BRANCH· Raleigh, West Virginia· Built 1950· Earth· 45 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Flat Top Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	45 ft (taller than 50.2% in WV)
Dam Length	717 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	4.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.8K acre-ft

Surface Area	234 acres
Drainage Area	7 sq mi
Year Completed	1950 (76 years old)
NID ID	WV08101

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: July 11, 2018

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: DWWM

Ownership

FLAT TOP LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

New Winterplace Dam

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Glade Creek Dam No. 2

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Mallard Lake Dam

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C & O Dam

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Chatham Lake Dam

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Bluejay Lake Dam

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Mountain Valley Dam

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Little Beaver Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Flat Top Lake Dam?

Flat Top Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Flat Top Lake Dam?

Flat Top Lake Dam is owned by FLAT TOP LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Flat Top Lake Dam built?

Flat Top Lake Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Flat Top Lake Dam?

Flat Top Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Flat Top Lake Dam?

Flat Top Lake Dam has a dam height of 45 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Flat Top Lake Dam last inspected?

Flat Top Lake Dam was last inspected on July 11, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.