SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A major milestone in the ongoing safety upgrades at Bluestone Dam will take place Monday, March 2, 2026, when officials open the right-side sluice gates for the first time in nearly four years.
The move marks a significant step forward in the dam’s Dam Safety Assurance (DSA) Phase 5 project, signaling the completion of construction on the right-side stilling basin and the transition to the next phase of work.
Officials say water will begin flowing through the newly completed basin, representing the first use of the system since 2020.
Following a period of monitoring with water flowing through both the left and right sides, crews will then close the left-side sluice gates to begin construction on the left-side stilling basin — the next stage of the long-term safety improvement project.
As flows increase through the right-side basin, officials are urging boaters and anglers using Bellepoint Access to exercise caution and be prepared for changing water conditions near access points.
The work is part of a broader effort to enhance the structural safety and long-term reliability of Bluestone Dam.
Project leaders say the milestone reflects continued progress toward completing critical upgrades designed to protect downstream communities and ensure the dam’s operational integrity for years to come.
