West Virginia Success Story

Rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 New Creek–Whites Run Subwatershed

Program or Category: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act Watershed Rehabilitation

Overview: The New Creek Site 14 dam rehabilitation brings the existing structure into compliance with current design criteria and performance standards and maintains the current level of flood protection to the municipal water supply. It is the first dam in West Virginia being rehabilitated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The 37-acre New Creek impoundment was chose in part because it is considered a “high hazard” dam – a term that does not reflect the health of the structure itself, but rather the potential for loss of life and property damage should the dam fail. The materials used to construct the principal spillway system and the pool drain and water supply system are subject to weathering and chemical reactions due to natural elements within the soil, water, and atmosphere. Concrete risers and conduits can deteriorate and crack, metal components can rust and corrode, and leaks can develop. Embankment failure can occur from internal erosion caused by leaks in the principal spillway conduit. Flood prevention and water supply are the primary purposes of the project

Accomplishments:
The rehabilitation of New Creek Site 14 meets the partners or local sponsors’ objectives of bringing this dam into compliance with current dam design criteria and performance standards, maintaining the current 100-year floodplain, continuing to serve as a water supply source, and addresses resource concerns identified by the public.

Program Benefits to Landowner:
Rehabilitation provides protection for downstream houses, businesses, utilities and other infrastructure in the floodplain of Linton and New Creeks. Roads receive flooding protection (WV State Route 93 and US Routes 50 and 220). The dam rehabilitation protects real estate values around the lake and downstream from the dam.

Program Benefits to Community:
Site 14 provides water supply for the City of Keyser in Mineral County. According to the 2000 Census, Keyser’s population is 5,303. Rehabilitation lessens the sponsors’ liability and minimizes the potential for loss of life associated with operation of an outdated, non-compliant dam.

The site provides wildlife habitat, wildlife viewing, scenery, and is a popular hiking area.
It maintains existing stream habitat downstream of the dam by augmenting flows during dry weather conditions. The project retains the existing fish and wildlife habitat associated with the lake and the recreation benefits for anglers. Site 14 provided important incidental fishing opportunities (17,279 annuals angler-days) in the New Creek Watershed. The watershed is situated in the headwater region of the Potomac River Basin . The dam traps 1.6 acre feet of sediment annually, thereby improving downstream water quality.

Contact:
William O’Donnell, Assistant State Conservationist– Programs
304-284-7543
Bill.Odonnell@wv.usda.gov

WV State Office
75 High Street, Room 301
Morgantown, WV 26505
Fax: 304-284-4839

New Creek Site 14 provides water for the City of Keyser and recreation opportunities.

More photos at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/newcreek14/newcreek14ov.html

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