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NRCS Provides Adequate Water Source in Randolph County, West Virginia

Map of WV with project area 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 to provide the 54-acre water supply impoundment,” said State Conservationist, Ronald L. Hilliard. “Most West Virginia dams provide flood protection. The Elkwater Fork Dam’s primary purpose is water supply. It is also one of, if not the largest, construction contract ever administered by NRCS.”

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.

Diagram of typical cross cection of the Elkwater Fork Dam

 Construction begins in May 2006 on the 123 feet tall dam and 54 acre reservoir. NRCS is responsible for contract administration. The project is expected to be completed in 2008 or 2009.

Diagram of a typical cross section of the Elkwater Fork Dam.
(Click to enlarge)

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.

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. The dam project is a priority for Senator Byrd who worked for congressional funding. The Huttonsville Public Service District is seeking funding for design and construction of a treatment plant and transmission lines to provide treated water to Southern Randolph County.

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