Tygart Lake is situated in the south-central part of Taylor County , although the southern end of the reservoir reaches into northern Barbour County . It has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 4.56 inches of precipitation from the Lake 's 1,184 square mile drainage area . The project 's flood control benefits were demonstrated most notably during the November 1985 floods when it prevented an estimated $ 195.8 million in damages and lowered flood crests along the Monongahela River by as much as 6.8 feet . Since its completion in 1938 , Tygart Dam has prevented flood damages estimated by the Corps to be nearly $ 1.2 billion
the November 1985 floods
1985 Election Day floods
Tygart Dam