The current river level in Burnsville, West Virginia is 3.07 feet. Glenville river level is at 2.19 feet and Grantsvile’s is currently at 6.18 feet; all of which is being sustained by the Burnsville Lake. Burnsville Lake has dropped 2 1/2 feet low in one month because of the drought conditions that we are currently facing in central West Virginia.
Ridgeview News spoke to an official at the Army Corp of Engineers who stated that Burnsville Lake continues to let out 8,976 gallon per minute.
When asked if the lake would be able to sustain the river, which would then sustain the provision of drinking water for the cities below them, we were told that the river should continue to run as it is right now, ten feet above winter pool without dropping too low. Without rain it will drop 2 1/2 feet per month which will sustain the river through December of 2024 with drought conditions continuing.
In the fall of the year, when temperatures change, the lake will overturn. The water on top gets dense due to the lower temperature and sinks to the bottom. The water at the bottom is low on dissolved oxygen, creating a poorer quality of water. This will be resolved by changing the level of water they discharge from the lake which will keep the water quality up in the river.
Grantsville should not be negatively affected, so long as we receive rain by December.
