New Creek–Whites Run Dam Receives American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding

MORGANTOWN, WV, April 6, 2009 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $45 million is available to rehabilitate aging flood control structures nationwide. Funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation's infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs.

“There are many dams and other important flood control structures across the country that are literally in a race against time when it comes to their ability to protect people and property from flooding,” said Vilsack. “This funding is going to projects where there is the greatest risk of infrastructure failure and threat to life and property.”

“These projects will not only revitalize dams, they will also revitalize rural economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses that supply needed products and services,” said Vilsack.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will deliver this assistance through its Watershed Rehabilitation Program and direct the funding toward the most cost-effective projects with the greatest need. In West Virginia, a dam at New Creek–Whites Run in Grant County was chosen. The New Creek Site 14 site will be rehabilitated so that it meets current design criteria and performance standards. Rehabilitation measures include construction of a concrete parapet wall on the top of the dam embankment to prevent overtopping during the Probable Maximum Precipitation event, installation of a new intake riser, lining the principal spillway pipe, installing an impact basin, installing an embankment surface drainage system, and mitigating the temporary elimination of the lake’s fishery.

State and local sponsors will provide 35 percent of the funding for their projects. The New Creek Site 14 site sponsors are the City of Keyser, Potomac Valley Conservation District, and the West Virginia State Conservation Committee.

“The New Creek Project is estimated to generate over 16 jobs,” said Kevin Wickey, West Virginia State Conservationist. “The lifespan of the dam and the benefits it provides will be extended another 50 years.” Benefits include: flood damage reduction, sediment and erosion reduction, recreation (fishing) and water supply.

The rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 is authorized under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566) as amended by the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Amendments of 2000 (Section 313 of Public Law 106-472).

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