Mount Storm Lake
| Mount Storm Lake | |
|---|---|
 Mount Storm Lake and Power Plant | |
| Location | Grant County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°12′28″N 79°15′45″W / 39.20778°N 79.26250°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Stony River |
| Primary outflows | Stony River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,200 acres (490 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 3,244 ft (989 m) |
Mount Storm Lake – also known as New Stony River Reservoir – is a 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) reservoir created in 1965 on the Stony River in Grant County, West Virginia.[1]
Mount Storm Lake serves as a cooling pond for the Dominion 1.6 gigawatt Mount Storm Power Station, which provides electricity to more than two million customers in Northern Virginia. The reservoir stands at an altitude of 3,244 feet (989 m).
Mount Storm Power Station is the largest coal-fired power station managed by Dominion. The station is located on Mount Storm Lake in the rugged Allegheny Mountains of northeastern West Virginia. The 1,200-acre lake, built to serve the station, also serves as a public recreation area.
Recreation
Mount Storm Lake is a popular local and tourist destination. When Dominion Virginia Power is using the reservoir for cooling, it keeps Mount Storm Lake at a warm temperature that makes it perfect for swimming, boating, and water activities even in cooler weather.
Mount Storm Lake, due to the temperatures, is a popular diving destination and training ground for scuba divers. The reservoir, which is in the upper 80s to 90s in the summer and rarely drops below fifty in the winter is outfitted with dive platforms at 30, 50, 75, and 120 feet and is regularly used by divers as a place to test equipment, maintain skill, enjoy a dive, and further training.
The lake's location on the Allegheny Front, one of the windiest spots east of the Mississippi, makes it an excellent destination for small boat sailing. There is a public boat ramp at the north end of the lake just off Highway 93. More than 40 of Virginia Power's electrical generating wind turbines are visible from the lake.
Mount Storm Lake Public Boat Ramp Coordinates: 39°12'27.7"N 79°15'29.3"W
West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) currently leases from Dominion a 4.6 acre parcel of land on the lake for the sole purpose of boat launching and parking, along with fishing. Particularly during warmer seasons, the area can become quite busy. To maintain the safety of visitors, certain guidelines have been established.
Scuba and Swimming Regulations
Over the last several years, swimming in and around the boat launching dock area increased significantly to the point that it interfered with boat launching activities. The close proximity of boats to swimmers created an unsafe environment, so swimming and wading from the leased shore area is strictly prohibited by law.
Prior to this area being leased to WVDNR, scuba diving was allowed in an area adjacent to — but part of — this parcel. For some years, diving was allowed from shore, but as steadily increasing traffic created higher risks, it became necessary to revise the regulations. Scuba diving is still allowed, but divers must access the scuba diving area via a launched pontoon or other suitable boat, away from the boat launch area. Diving directly from the shore is not permitted.
The "no swimming" rule will be strictly enforced both in the Boat Dock Launch and shoreline areas by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. (View more information on DNR regulations.) There is limited parking in this area, so scuba trailers and related vehicles are to be promptly off-loaded, then relocated to another area to allow public access and parking in the immediate area. Divers must also follow appropriate state laws and safe diving protocol, using floating markers (dive flags), etc.
Prohibited Activities
No person, individual, firm, company, association, corporation, institution or group shall be allowed to use any Dominion-owned properties at Mount Storm Lake or lake waters for the following uses, activities or actions:
- Commercial purposes of any kind (including fee-based scuba instruction, sale of merchandise or food, etc.).
- Burning of any kind, or creation of fire from any source, for the purpose of cooking or for the purpose of discarding trash, leaves or other vegetation.
- Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances.
- Use of motorized land vehicles in other than areas specifically designated for such use such as paved roads, parking lots and public ramps.
- Polluting the waters of Mount Storm Lake and adjacent Dominion-owned property with hazardous liquid/material, sewage, garbage, rubbish, vegetation, debris, petroleum products, or debris of any kind.
- Possession or use of any kind of firearm, gun, pistol, firecracker or fireworks on Dominion property or on or within the waters of the lake, excluding law enforcement personnel on duty with jurisdiction of the Mount Storm Lake area.
- Hunting.
Dominion recognizes the enjoyment and adventure that Mount Storm lake offers, and has instituted these regulations to make everyone's visit as safe as possible. Contact Dominion if you have any questions or concerns about activities at Mount Storm Lake.
References
- ^ West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, South Charleston, WV (2003). "Mount Storm Lake."
