John Amos Flyash Dam

LIL SCARY CREEK· Putnam, West Virginia· Built 1978· Rockfill· 223 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Public Utility

Key Takeaway

John Amos Flyash Dam is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is tailings. 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 223 ft (taller than 92.3% in WV)
Dam Length1,977 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage11.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage10.0K acre-ft
Surface Area180 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDWV07911

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: May 17, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWWM

Ownership

APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of John Amos Flyash Dam?

John Amos Flyash 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 John Amos Flyash Dam?

John Amos Flyash Dam is owned by APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was John Amos Flyash Dam built?

John Amos Flyash Dam was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 John Amos Flyash Dam?

John Amos Flyash Dam serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is John Amos Flyash Dam?

John Amos Flyash Dam has a dam height of 223 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 John Amos Flyash Dam last inspected?

John Amos Flyash Dam was last inspected on May 17, 2017. 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.