Flat Top Lake, like other lakes in West Virginia, is an artificial lake, formed by damming Glade Creek on Flat Top Mountain in southern Raleigh County. It was first developed in the early 1950s as a fishing reservoir. In the early days, the fishermen camped, but better roads including the nearby West Virginia Turnpike put the lake in commuting distance of Beckley. Originally there were mostly summer homes at Flat Top, but eventually the community became home to year-round residents when permanent housing was built and the Flat Top Lake Association was formed. The association owns 2,200 acres of land adjacent to the 230-acre lake. In addition to fishing, other water sports are popular. It is a gated community.