West Virginia Success Story

NRCS Provides Adequate Water Source in Randolph County, West Virginia

Program or Category: Public Law-566

Overview: Most Americans take drinking water for granted—turn on the faucet and water flows out. But residents in West Virginia’s southern Randolph County don’t have a reliable source of drinking water. They soon will because of a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Public Law-566 project. The Elkwater Fork Dam, in the Upper Tygarts Valley River Watershed, is a project to supply safe drinking water to 21,500 residents.

This is a unique project to NRCS in West Virginia utilizing roller-compacted concrete (RCC) to provide the 54-acre water supply impoundment. Most West Virginia dams provide flood protection. The Elkwater Fork Dam’s primary purpose is water supply.

The project planning began after a 1993 drought. A town requested NRCS assistance in identifying an alternate water supply source. In 1995, NRCS received authorization and funding to initiate a study to identify and address natural resource problems common to all the affected communities. In 2001, NRCS completed the Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A design for the water supply dam was completed by Architect-Engineer (A&E) contract administered by West Virginia NRCS.

Accomplishments: Federal, state, and local partners worked together for funding. Federal sources provided $23 million (75%) for the project through the NRCS PL 566 program. State and local partners provided $8 million (25%) and acquired land needed for the project. West Virginia NRCS is responsible for contract administration and quality assurance for the roller-compacted concreate (RCC) 123 foot tall dam. It is expected the 32 million dollar construction contract, the largest ever administered by NRCS, will be completed in the late spring of 2008.

Program Benefits to Landowner: The Elkwater Fork Dam, in the Upper Tygarts Valley River Watershed, is a project to supply safe drinking water to 21,500 residents.

Program Benefits to Community: Project benefits include:

• Providing a water supply for public water service customers in the Upper Tygarts Valley River Watershed.
• Eliminating water withdrawals from the Upper Tygarts Valley River and tributaries exceeding WV withdrawal limitations.
• Improving human health and safety by providing sufficient water to meet sanitary and fire protection needs.
• Incidental recreational uses including angler access.

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL-566) authorizes the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to help local organizations and units of government plan and implement watershed projects. Projects can include flood prevention and damage reduction, development of rural water supply sources, erosion and sediment control, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, wetland creation and restoration, and increased recreational opportunities.

Contact:

Louis Aspey PL 566 Program Manager
304-284-7544
Louis.Aspey@wv.usda.gov

State Office--Morgantown, WV
75 High St., Room 301
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone (304) 284-7540 Fax (304) 284-4839
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/state_office.html

Project photos at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/elkwater/constructionphotos.html

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