Lake Dickenson Dam

TR OF LONG BRNCH OF POPLAR FRK· Putnam, West Virginia· Built 1955· Earth· 27 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Dickenson Dam is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 27 ft (taller than 19.4% in WV)
Dam Length368 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage76 acre-ft
Normal Storage44 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDWV07902

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 14, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWWM

Ownership

FMC SPORTSMANS CLUB

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Dickenson Dam?

Lake Dickenson 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 Lake Dickenson Dam?

Lake Dickenson Dam is owned by FMC SPORTSMANS CLUB (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Dickenson Dam built?

Lake Dickenson Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Lake Dickenson Dam?

Lake Dickenson 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 Lake Dickenson Dam?

Lake Dickenson Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Lake Dickenson Dam last inspected?

Lake Dickenson Dam was last inspected on July 14, 2015. 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.