Moccasin Hollow Impoundment

MOCCASIN HOLLOW· Boone, West Virginia· Built 1999· Other· 310 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1999 and is 27 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 310 ft (taller than 94.7% in WV)
Dam Length820 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage2.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area39 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,611 cfs
Year Completed1999 (27 years old)
NID IDWV00524

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: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

CATENARY COAL COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Moccasin Hollow Impoundment?

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment 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 Moccasin Hollow Impoundment?

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment is owned by CATENARY COAL COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Moccasin Hollow Impoundment built?

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment was completed in 1999, making it 27 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 Moccasin Hollow Impoundment?

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment 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 Moccasin Hollow Impoundment?

Moccasin Hollow Impoundment has a dam height of 310 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.

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.