Stonewall Jackson Lake was authorized and approved by the Flood Control Act of 1966. The purposes of the project, as stated in the authorizing legislation, are flood protection, low flow augmentation for water quality, water supply, fish and wildlife enhancement, hydropower and recreation. The project, completed in 1990, is the most recent addition to the Pittsburgh District’s 16 flood control projects.
Stonewall Jackson Dam is located on the West Fork River, three miles south of the county seat at Weston, West Virginia and 73 miles upstream from the river’s mouth. From its source in Lewis and Upshur Counties, the West Fork River flows northward for 98.7 miles to Fairmont, West Virginia. There it joins the Tygart River to form the Monongahela River.
Stonewall Jackson Dam has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 7.1 inches of precipitation from its 101.8 square mile drainage area. The project’s flood damage reduction benefits were first demonstrated while it was still under construction when it prevented damages estimated in excess of $25 million during the 1985 Election Day Flood. To date, Stonewall Jackson has prevented flood damages estimated to be nearly $155 million.
Development of the project required the acquisition of 20,451 acres of land. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retains 330 acres of land at the dam site for operation of the dam and support facilities. All remaining federal lands are leased to the state of West Virginia. These consist of roughly 2,000 acres managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as a state park and 18,289 acres of land and water managed for public hunting and fishing.
General “Stonewall” Jackson
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The Stonewall Jackson Lake project was named for Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, a famous general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, who was born on January 21, 1824, in nearby Clarksburg, West Virginia. His father died when he was a young boy and he grew up with relatives in nearby Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County. This community, where Jackson spent his childhood years, is located only eight miles north of the dam.
In 1846, Jackson graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. However, he later resigned from the Army and, before the Civil War started, was a professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.
On July 21, 1861, Jackson was in command of a brigade during the Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run). Confederate General Bernard Bee, at a critical moment, was trying to rally his own men. He saw Jackson and his brigade holding fast and shouted, “There stands Jackson’s brigade like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!” From that time on, Jackson was known as “Stonewall” Jackson.
Jackson went on to play an important role in many major Civil War battles. Some of his more famous battles occurred during Bull Run, the Shenandoah Valley campaign, the Defense of Richmond, the Second Battle at Manassas, Harper’s Ferry, Antietam and the Battle of Chancellorsville. Indeed, General Jackson is recognized as one of the outstanding tacticians in military history.
Stonewall Jackson died on May 10, 1863, after accidentally being shot by one of his own men during the Battle of Chancellorsville. |
Lake & Dam Statistics
Location: On the West Fork River in Lewis County, West Virginia, about 3 miles south of Weston. The lake is located entirely in Lewis County. |
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Project area, acres |
20,451 |
Drainage area above dam, square miles |
101.8 |
Construction cost |
$208,000,000 |
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Dam |
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Type of structure: Concrete gravity with an uncontrolled center spillway |
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Height above streambed, feet |
95 |
Length, feet |
620 |
Width at base, feet |
113 |
Volume of concrete, cubic yards |
107,550 |
Outlet Works: Three 3.5’ x 7’ flood control sluices and two 2.5’ x 4’ water quality control sluices |
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Lake |
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Length at normal pool, miles |
26 |
Shoreline at normal pool, miles |
82 |
Area, acres: |
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Maximum (reservoir full) |
3,470 |
Normal (summer pool) |
2,650 |
Elevation, feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum: |
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Maximum (reservoir full) |
1,082 |
Normal (summer pool) |
1,073.2 |
Streambed at dam |
1,007 |
Vicinity Map
Recreation
Stonewall Jackson Lake, nestled in the rolling hills of West Virginia, is easily accessible from Interstate 79. The lake is located in Lewis County, West Virginia, an area rich in history and Appalachian tradition. These factors combined with the scenic beauty of the area provide for excellent outdoor recreational opportunities.
Stonewall Jackson Lake provides an ideal setting for your pleasure and relaxation. Boating, fishing, hunting, camping and hiking are just a few of the many recreational opportunities that are available at the project. Corps of Engineers' facilities include an administration building with a visitor information center and public restrooms, an outdoor plaza, walkways and overlook for viewing the dam, fishing access to the tail water area, hiking trail and visitor parking areas.
The remaining lands and the lake are leased to, and managed by, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as a public hunting and fishing area and Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, respectively.
The State Parks’ Stonewall Resort provides visitors with a variety of accommodations and numerous recreation opportunities. The Adirondack-style lodge includes guest rooms and suites, restaurants, fitness center and spa, swimming pool and conference facilities. An 18-hold golf course, 374-slip marina with boat launch and rentals and waters sports are some of the recreation opportunities provided at the resort. Visitors can also explore miles of beautiful hiking and biking trails meandering along the 18,000-acre Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management Area.
The recreation lake provides boaters with a variety of opportunities including pleasure boating, canoeing, fishing and water skiing. For the boating enthusiast, launching facilities are available at Vandalia, Georgetown, Jacksonville and Stonewall Jackson State Park. In addition, a car-top boat launch is available at Glady Fork. These boat launches provide excellent access to the lake.
Backwater areas, which provide excellent fishing opportunities, are easily accessible either by boat or by trail. Canoeists and other paddlers can explore the many inlets and backwater areas along the lake's 82-mile shoreline. These have been designated minimum wake areas and offer visitors serenity and a place to quietly observe nature.
Hunting and trapping, with the necessary licenses, is permitted on all project lands except State Park recreation areas and other posted areas.
Current Events
Volunteers needed at Stonewall Jackson Lake!
Do you enjoy working outdoors, helping others and improving the environment? If so, we would like to invite you to join our team as a volunteer at Stonewall Jackson Lake. Volunteers are a vital part of each Corps of Engineers lake project. There are a wide variety of part-time positions available with flexible working hours. Each position provides volunteers with a unique opportunity to work with the Park Ranger in various situations. Jobs include: cleaning and monitoring of bluebird boxes, care and upkeep of fish aquariums, assisting the public as Visitor Information Center Host, general maintenance of signs and trails including painting and litter pickup. To volunteer or for information call the Park Ranger at 304-269-4588.
Facilities & Activities
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Dam
Site |
Georgetown
Access
Area |
Glady
Fork
Access
Area |
Jacksonville
Access
Area |
Mary Conrad Roadside Park |
Stonewall Jackson
State
Park |
State Park
Maintenance
Area |
Accessible Restroom |
X |
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X |
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Boat Launch Ramp |
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X |
X |
X |
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X |
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Boat Rental |
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X |
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Campground |
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X |
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Camper Dump Station |
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X |
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Drinking Water |
X |
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X |
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Electric Hookups |
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X |
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Fishing |
X |
X |
X |
X |
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X |
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Fishing (Disabled Access) |
X |
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X |
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Information/Visitor Center |
X |
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X |
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Marina |
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X |
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Parking Area |
X |
X |
X |
X |
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X |
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Picnic Area |
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X |
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Picnic Shelter |
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X |
X |
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Playground |
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X |
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Restroom Facilities |
X |
X |
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X |
X |
X |
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Showers |
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X |
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Trail |
X |
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X |
X |
Links of Interest
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