Authorized by the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1935, Tygart Dam was the first of 16 flood
control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project provides flood
protection for the Tygart River Valley as well as for the Monongahela
and upper Ohio Rivers.
Tygart has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 4.56
inches of precipitation from its 1,184 square mile drainage area. The
project’s flood control benefits were dramatically demonstrated during
the November 1985 floods when Tygart alone prevented an amazing $195.8
million in damages and lowered flood crests along the Monongahela River
by as much as 6.8 feet. Since its completion in 1938, Tygart has
prevented flood damages estimated to be nearly $1.2 billion. When
compared to the flood control benefits which have resulted, the $18.5
million construction costs are greatly overshadowed.
In addition to flood
control, the Tygart project was also authorized for navigation and water
supply purposes. During the summer and fall low-water season, Tygart
releases additional water downstream to meet navigation water supply
requirements on the Monongahela and upper Ohio River for commercial
navigation. The increased flow also improves water quality and quantity
for domestic and industrial use, recreation, esthetics and aquatic life.
Lake &
Dam Statistics
Location:
On Tygart River in Taylor County, West Virginia, about 2.25 miles
above Grafton. The lake is located in Taylor and Barbour
Counties. |
|
Project area,
acres |
5,962 |
Drainage area
above dam, square miles |
1,184 |
Construction cost |
$18,432,000 |
|
|
Dam |
|
Type of
structure: Concrete gravity
type with an uncontrolled spillway |
|
Height above
streambed, feet |
230 |
Length, feet
(concrete section) |
1,921 |
Width at base,
feet |
207 |
Volume of
concrete, cubic yards |
1,251,550 |
Outlet Works:
Discharge is regulated by ten sluices, eight sluices controlled
by 5.67’ x 10' slide gates and two sluices controlled by 54” ring
jet valves |
|
|
|
Lake |
|
Length at normal
pool, miles |
10 |
Area, acres: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
3,440 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
1,750 |
Elevation, feet
above sea level: |
|
Maximum
(reservoir full) |
1,167 |
Normal (summer
pool) |
1,094 |
Streambed at
dam |
960 |
Vicinity
Map
Recreation
Located in the
picturesque
West Virginia countryside, Tygart Lake's blue waters and irregular
shoreline contrast with the surrounding steep mountain terrain. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to discover the beauty of
Tygart Lake and its scenic vistas that provide the ideal setting for
many outdoor recreational activities.
With the exception of
the administrative area in the vicinity of the dam, the lake and its
surrounding Federal lands are out-granted by the Corps of Engineers to
the
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of
Tygart Lake State Park and the Pleasant Creek Hunting and Fishing
Area.
The steep, wooded
mountainsides and the clear inviting waters of the lake attract many
visitors to Tygart for a day of relaxation and enjoyment. Located
around the lake are several picnic areas, hiking trails, playgrounds,
and the State Park's swim beach. The beach has a well maintained
sunbathing area and a cement deck that extends into the warm waters of
the lake. Certified lifeguards are on duty at the beach to insure the
safety of swimmers. The exceptional clarity of Tygart Lake is also
attracting an ever increasing number of scuba divers to explore the
lake's depths, especially in the area of Henderson's Rocks.
Tygart Lake's 10 mile
length and deep waters have made the lake a popular site for power
boaters and water-skiing enthusiasts. The lake's irregular
shoreline also provides many inlets and backwater areas for canoes and
small
fishing boats to explore. Excellent access to the lake is provided
by four
boat launching ramps and a public marina contributing to the lake's
popularity with boaters.
Tygart Lake is
considered by many to be one of the best bass waters in the area and
fishing its deep waters can be a rewarding and exciting experience. In
addition to bass, anglers will find abundant walleye, muskie, crappie,
perch and numerous pan fish. All species of fish found in Tygart Lake
are sustained through natural reproduction rather than by stocking
attesting to the exceptional water quality of the lake. Fishing for
rainbow and golden trout, which are periodically stocked in the tail
waters of Tygart Dam, is also popular with many anglers.
Those seeking overnight
accommodations at Tygart Lake have a choice between
lodge or cabin facilities available at the State Park. There are
also
campgrounds available at the State Park and the Pleasant Creek
Public Hunting and Fishing Area for those desiring a more rustic
experience during their stay.
Current
Events
Life
Jacket Loaner Program
The
Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has funded a Life Jacket Loaner
Program for Kids at Tygart Lake. The Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating
Safety will provide the Corps of Engineers 15 life jackets of various
sizes for children. Tygart Lake marina operator Dan Williams of
Grafton, WV and the Corps have partnered together to provide the free
children's life jackets for short-term loan throughout the summer
boating season. The U.S. Coast Guard requires recreational boats to
have a wearable life jacket on board for each passenger, but life
jackets suitable for children are not always available. In addition,
the Corps requires that children under 10 years of age wear a life
jacket while boating. Children are especially at risk on and near the
water. A properly sized life jacket can be the difference between life
and death for a small child. The life jackets come in three sizes:
infant, child, and youth. A boater merely signs out the jacket (s) and
returns it at the end of the day.
Tours
Tours of Tygart Dam will are offered each Friday in June, July and
August at 1:00 p.m.
Valid government issued photo identification is required for all dam
tour participants 18 years of age and older. Pre-registration for the free tours is
strongly encouraged. To pre-register or for additional
information about dam tours call the Tygart Dam Office at (304)
265-1760.
Volunteers for Fish Attractor Project
Tygart Lake staff is looking for volunteers to help with their
annual fish attractor project scheduled to take place on Saturday,
February 21, 2009.
Volunteers will assist in the construction of an artificial reef
comprised of Christmas trees that have been collected from the city
of Grafton, and trees donated from the Wal-Mart in Kingwood, W.Va.
The trees will be placed along a section of exposed winter pool
shoreline near Boat Launch #4 in Tygart Lake State Park and secured
to concrete blocks that will anchor the trees in place. In the
spring, Tygart Lake’s pool level will be raised for the upcoming
recreation season and the trees will be covered by 8 to 20 feet of
water forming an artificial reef that will attract fish and improve
fishing success in the area. The artificial reef will be marked with
a fish attractor buoy and will be readily accessible to the public
for boat or shoreline fishing. Persons or groups interested in
assisting with the fish attractor project are asked to call the
Tygart Lake office at 304-265-1760 for more information and to
register for the event. On the day of the event, volunteers are
asked to check in at the Resource Manager’s Office at Tygart Dam at
9:00 a.m. where the purpose of the project and work safety will be
discussed. The volunteers will then be directed to proceed to the
work area in Tygart Lake State Park. The project is expected to take
approximately two to three hours to complete.
Facilities &
Activities
|
Dam
Site |
Grafton
City Park |
Pleasant
Creek |
Tygart Lake
State Park |
Accessible
Restroom |
X |
- |
X |
X |
Boat Launch Ramp |
- |
X |
X |
X |
Boat Rental |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Campground |
- |
- |
X |
X |
Camper Dump
Station |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Drinking Water |
X |
- |
X |
X |
Electric Hookups |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Information Center |
X |
- |
- |
- |
Marina |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Picnic Area |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Restroom
Facilities |
X |
- |
X |
X |
Showers |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Swim Area |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Trail |
X |
- |
- |
X |
Links of Interest
|