BLUESTONE DAM GETS $86 MIL FOR REPAIRS - Wirt's Wells Lock And Dam Gets $40,000, Statewide Flood Guages Gets Funds

(08/03/2009)
The biggest winner in the 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill passed by the Senate is the Bluestone Dam.

It will get $86.7 million for continued stabilization efforts.

"This project would help keep more than 115,000 persons, and property in excess of $6.5 billion, out of harm's way," according to a press release from Sen. Robert Byrd's office.

The Corps of Engineers has received $40,000 to complete a feasibility report on the Wells Lock and Dam in Wirt County, near Elizabeth.

The historic lock and dam is suffering severe structural problems.

A Statewide Flood Warning System got a boost with $1.5 million for the installation of stream gauges and the upgrading of existing gauges throughout the state.

Several gauges are located along the Little Kanawha and the West Fork of the Little Kanawha.

These gauges make up an integrated statewide flood warning system that would provide real-time rainfall and stream flow data transmitted by satellite directly to the National Weather Service and the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services.

The project aims to reduce loss of life and property damages throughout the entire state by providing more time for evacuations and protection of movable property.