Matewan Floodwall

Matewan, WV

The town of Matewan has a unique feature that surrounds the entire downtown area – a floodwall. The exterior of the wall tells the history of Matewan through carefully placed vertical fluting that forms an etched mural. This feature is a must-see in town. Visitors walking the path see the art on the floodwall while enjoying the Tug Fork River.

The floodwall may spend the majority of its time as a piece of information art, but it also serves an important function. According to the former mayor of Matewan, Robert McCoy, the town was once described as having the most severe flooding problem in the United States. This label was well earned, as according to McCoy, by 1984, the town had faced severe, property damaging flooding in 33 of the prior 35 years. The most catastrophic floods occurred in 1957, 1963, 1977 and 1984. You can see the heights that these floods reached on the steps that lead to the river, and even as high as the floodwall.
Relief came in 1992 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the 2,350-foot long floodwall. Since the construction of the wall, there hasn’t been an instance of significant flooding within the downtown Matewan area.

Trip Inspiration

Your Family-Friendly Summer Vacation Starts at Oglebay Park Resort

Escape to Oglebay Park Resort this summer for the perfect family-friendly vacation! Nestled in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle, just one...

Read More

A Camper's Guide to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

It's just you, your tent and more than 70,000 wooded acres to explore. The possibilities are endless when camping in and around the New Riv...

Read More

5 Free, Fun West Virginia Adventures

Get ready for an unforgettable summer in the Mountain State, where you can dive into thrilling adventures… without spending a dime! Wheth...

Read More

These Local Ice Cream Spots Are the Perfect Sweet Treat Stop

The heat of summer adventure calls for a tasty cool-down, particularly a sweet one. Whether you're unlacing your boots from a hike, hanging...

Read More

Make a Splash at these 3 Adventure Lakes in West Virginia

Jumpstart your summer with a cannonball into one of West Virginia’s three adventure-filled lakes. Whether searching for adrenaline-pumpin...

Read More

Leave the Screens at Home & Check Out These Unplugged Adventures in West Virginia

If your goal this summer is to unplug and get outside, then you need to check out these off-the-grid adventures in West Virginia. ðŸ...

Read More

Pick from these 4 stays for your next Visit to Southern West Virginia

With so many excellent overnight destinations, Almost Heaven makes it easy for anyone to feel like they have found their new favorite spot....

Read More

This West Virginia Lakeside Retreat is Calling Your Name

The sun is shining bright in Almost Heaven, and we are ready to start the summer with a trip to the lake. Nestled in the heart of West Virg...

Read More

An ancient underground ocean in West Virginia?!

Did you know an ancient ocean trapped below the Appalachian Mountains lies right here in the heart of the Kanawha Valley? That's right! J.Q...

Read More
More Inspiration