BEAVER, WV (LOOTPRESS) – It is often the case that the splendor and beauty of West Virginia’s waterfalls require a certain degree of effort to behold, be that in ascending and/or descending aberrant terrain, traversing extended distances, or even dropping directly into the body of water itself.
Such is not the case with Little Beaver State Park, however. In fact, all one need do is reach the parking area of the site to bear witness to the stunning fall at the park’s forefront.
More exacting individuals may take exception to this characterization. After all, the “waterfall” boasted by Little Beaver is technically a spillway, constructed to accommodate the historic Little Beaver Dam.
The effect is much the same, however, particularly considering the awe-inspiring framework of the natural beauty enveloping the water’s source. And though the structure was intended as a regulated means of transferring natural water, a gander at the spillway in the aftermath of an especially tumultuous storm – such as the one the occurred just prior to the park visit which inspired this very article – will reveal a ferocity of which can only be manifested by the unpredictable and unyielding force that is mother nature herself.
As for the dam itself, the 400-foot long, 29-foot high structure was erected between 1938 and 1942 as a federally supported project of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps. The dam is faced with rough chiseled sandstone, and in 1998 attained recognition through inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
The dam supports a sprawling lake nestled within a 20-mile network of hiking trails and camping areas. The location also offers fishing and paddle-boat access for those looking to get more in touch with the quiet outdoors. It is here that ducks, birds, and other natural wildlife can often be observed soaking in the scenery and tranquility of one of the greatest open secrets the Mountain State has to offer.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage on Little Beaver State Park can be found here, while additional LOOTPRESS coverage of West Virginia waterfalls can be found here.
For more information on attractions, naturally occurring and otherwise, throughout Southern West Virginia, readers are encouraged to utilize the Visit Southern West Virginia website, which can be found here.
Discover West Virginia Waterfalls: Little Beaver State Park Spillway
