Schellhas Dam

SPRING RUN· Ritchie, West Virginia· Earth· 41 ft tall

High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Schellhas Dam is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. Its primary use is other. 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	41 ft (taller than 46.5% in WV)
Dam Length	310 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	243 acre-ft
Normal Storage	69 acre-ft

NID ID	WV08513

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: October 14, 2015

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: DWWM

Ownership

EARL SCHELLHAS

Private

Nearby Dams

Pennsboro Water Supply Dam #2

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Bonds Creek Site No. 1

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Pullman No. 1

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North Bend Golf Course Area

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North Fork Hughes River Site 21c Dam

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No. 1-West of Cornwallis

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Low Hazard 31 ft

Crystal Lake

Doddridge, WV

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Schellhas Dam?

Schellhas 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 Schellhas Dam?

Schellhas Dam is owned by EARL SCHELLHAS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Schellhas Dam?

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

How tall is Schellhas Dam?

Schellhas Dam has a dam height of 41 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 Schellhas Dam last inspected?

Schellhas Dam was last inspected on October 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.