Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam dam
Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam
Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam, located in Meigs County, Ohio, is a privately owned earth dam that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, the dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres. The dam is situated on the tributary Meigs Creek, within the jurisdiction of the Huntington District of the USACE. Despite being unregulated by the state and having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and outlet gates also described as uncontrolled. Although the dam is not regularly inspected and its condition is currently not rated, the risk assessment suggests a moderate level of risk associated with the structure. Emergency action plans and inundation maps have not been prepared for the dam, highlighting the importance of prioritizing safety measures and risk mitigation strategies for this recreational water resource. With its picturesque location and potential for outdoor activities, Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam presents both opportunities and challenges for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
In terms of federal involvement, the dam does not receive funding, construction, or regulatory oversight from federal agencies. The primary purpose of the dam, as designated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is for recreation, aligning with its location within a private ownership setting. Despite its low hazard potential and current risk assessment, maintaining the safety and integrity of Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam will be crucial for preserving the recreational and environmental value it offers to the community.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 19 cfs | → |
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 269 cfs | → |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs | → |
| Monday Creek At Doanville Oh | 48 cfs | → |
| Little Kanawha River At Palestine | 297 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam.
Track Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lower Hickory Hills Lake Dam.