No. 1-West of Cornwallis
Key Takeaway
No. 1-West of Cornwallis is classified as low hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1863 and is 163 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 31 ft (taller than 27.5% in WV) |
| Dam Length | 1,043 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 41 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 23 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Year Completed | 1863 (163 years old) |
| NID ID | WV08506 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
CHESSIE SYSTEM RAILROAD CO.
Private
Nearby Dams
North Fork Hughes River Site 21c Dam
Ritchie, WV
High Hazard 93 ftNorth Bend Golf Course Area
Ritchie, WV
Unknown 44 ftSchellhas Dam
Ritchie, WV
High Hazard 41 ftBonds Creek Site No. 1
Ritchie, WV
Significant Hazard 53 ftPullman No. 1
Ritchie, WV
High Hazard 38 ftWalker Creek #1
Wood, WV
High Hazard 64 ftMcelroy Run Dam
Pleasants, WV
High Hazard 243 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of No. 1-West of Cornwallis?
No. 1-West of Cornwallis 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 No. 1-West of Cornwallis?
No. 1-West of Cornwallis is owned by CHESSIE SYSTEM RAILROAD CO. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was No. 1-West of Cornwallis built?
No. 1-West of Cornwallis was completed in 1863, making it 163 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 No. 1-West of Cornwallis?
No. 1-West of Cornwallis serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is No. 1-West of Cornwallis?
No. 1-West of Cornwallis has a dam height of 31 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.