Flood Structures Keep Homes Dry

MORGANTOWN WV, September 28, 2004 The widespread flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan could be one of the most expensive disasters in West Virginia's history. Governor Wise took a helicopter tour of flood-ravaged areas on September 21 and said the damage is as bad as any he's ever seen—and in some cases, worse.

It could have been worse.

The West Virginia Natural Resource Conservation Service has four flood control projects in the Northern Panhandle. All the structures were close to storage capacity but were successful in holding back flood waters and preventing or reducing damage. The Harmon Creek watershed had stream damage from where there were no dams, but where dams were in place, the damages were minimal.

Seven flood prevention dams on Wheeling Creek reduced annual floodwater damage by 92 percent, eliminating all flood hazards for 973 residences. The dams, constructed between 1975 and 1995, control about 68% of the Wheeling Creek drainage. The construction costs for the dam projects were provided principally by the West Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service in partnership with local sponsors: Wheeling Creek Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Commission, Northern Panhandle Soil Conservation District, WV Soil Conservation Agency, Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District, Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District.

An elderly lady who lives in the flood damage area, confided in District Conservationist, Greg Stone some years back that during times of heavy rainfall, she could not sleep at night for fear of flooding. After completion of the Wheeling Creek Watershed dam projects, this same lady commented, water has never gotten out of bank to threaten her life or home. She personally thanked Greg Stone, that she could now sleep without having to fear rising floodwaters. Her home stayed dry during Ivan’s flooding.

Local communities, with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) assistance, have constructed over 11,000 dams in 47 states since 1948. The Flood Control Act of December 22, 1944 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to install watershed improvement measures to reduce flood, sedimentation, and erosion damages; further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water; and the conservation and proper utilization of land.

The Wolf Run on Wheeling Creek is one of seven prevention dams that protected Wheeling residents from Ivan’s flooding.



 

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