Glen Ferris

Kanawha River· Fayette, West Virginia· Built 1901· Concrete· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Glen Ferris is classified as low hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1901 and is 125 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 1.8% in WV)
Dam Length2,850 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area397 acres
Drainage Area8,340 sq mi
Max Discharge106,000 cfs
Year Completed1901 (125 years old)
NID IDWV01911

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 9, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Glen Ferris?

Glen Ferris is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Glen Ferris?

Glen Ferris is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Glen Ferris built?

Glen Ferris was completed in 1901, making it 125 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 Glen Ferris?

Glen Ferris serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Glen Ferris?

Glen Ferris has a dam height of 12 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 Glen Ferris last inspected?

Glen Ferris was last inspected on August 9, 2021. 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.