Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam
Key Takeaway
Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 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 | 139 ft (taller than 90.1% in WV) |
| Dam Length | 1,750 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3.1K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
| Drainage Area | 266 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
| NID ID | WV03903 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION-SC
Private
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High Hazard 36 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) 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 Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam is owned by UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION-SC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam built?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) 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 Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam has a dam height of 139 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 Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam last inspected?
Ward Impoundment (Upper) Dam was last inspected on April 17, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.