Bluestone Lake was authorized by Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1936, amended by section 4 of the FCA of 1938. The primary project purposes are flood risk management, fish and wildlife enhancement, recreation, and low flow augmentation. Bluestone Dam spans the New River at Hinton, WV forming Bluestone Lake, the third largest lake in West Virginia. At summer pool Bluestone Lake covers 2,040 acres and is 10.7 miles long.