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Bluestone Lake

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Coordinates: 37°38′25″N 80°53′09″W / 37.64028°N 80.88583°W / 37.64028; -80.88583
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Bluestone Lake
Bluestone Lake near the Bluestone State Park marina, at the point the Bluestone River enters it
Bluestone Lake is located in West Virginia
Bluestone Lake
Bluestone Lake
LocationWest Virginia/Virginia
Coordinates37°38′25″N 80°53′09″W / 37.64028°N 80.88583°W / 37.64028; -80.88583
TypeReservoir
Primary inflowsNew River
Catchment area4,565 sq mi (11,820 km2)
BuiltJanuary 1952 (1952-01)[1]
Max. length10.7 mi (17.2 km)[1]
Surface area2,040 acres (830 ha)[2]
SettlementsHinton, West Virginia

Bluestone Lake is a flood control reservoir located on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia. At its normal pool level, Bluestone Dam impounds a 10.7-mile (17.2 km) stretch of the New and its tributary, the Bluestone River. Normally approximately 2,040 acres (8.3 km2) in size, the lake can grow to over 36 miles (58 km) long at flood control pool. At higher water levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia.[3]

Bluestone Dam

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Aerial view of the dam in 2011
Front of the dam in 2006

The lake is formed by Bluestone Dam, a concrete gravity dam located just upstream of the confluence of the New and Greenbrier Rivers. The dam is 165 feet (50 m) high and 2,048 feet (624 m) long.[1] The dam was authorized by Presidential Executive Order in 1935 and approved by the U.S. Congress in the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938.[4] Construction of the project was begun in early 1941, suspended in 1944 because of World War II.[5] Work resumed in 1946, and completed for operational purposes in 1949.[1][6]

In recent years, it was discovered that Bluestone Dam would be unable to pass the Probable Maximum Flood possible at the site, which could cause failure of the dam. To remedy the problem, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has undertaken a Dam Safety Assurance program for Bluestone. The DSA project includes raising the dam by 8 feet (2.4 m), installing anchors and thrust blocks to tie the dam into bedrock, spillway improvements and other work. The first phase of the project was completed in October 2004. The second phase, installing bedrock anchors, was completed in 2011. Three additional phases remain to be constructed.[4]

Recreation

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Due to its large size, Bluestone Lake provides many recreational opportunities including boating and fishing.[1] The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources operates Bluestone State Park and Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, each encompassing portions of the lake.[7] Camping and other activities are available in these facilities.[1]

Fishing

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Multiple West Virginia stage record fish were caught along the Bluestone Lake.[8][9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bluestone Lake". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  2. ^ "Bluestone Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. June 27, 1980. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  3. ^ Narrows, Virginia-West Virginia quadrangle (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5-Minute Series (Topographic). U.S. Geological Survey. 1985.
  4. ^ a b "Bluestone DSA". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Huntington District. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  5. ^ "Construction of Bluestone Dam: Phase I (1941–1944)". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Huntington District. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  6. ^ "Construction of Bluestone Dam: Phase II (1945–1949)". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Huntington District. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  7. ^ Bluestone Wildlife Management Area (PDF) (Map). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. January 29, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  8. ^ "West Virginia Fishing Records". West Virginia DNR. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "West Virginia Fishing Records". Land Big Fish. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Kirk, Sam (January 10, 2024). "West Virginia DNR creates 5 new state fishing record categories". WBOY. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
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