Big Bear Lake Dam dam
Big Bear Lake Dam
Big Bear Lake Dam, located in Lucasville, Ohio, along Bear Creek, is a private-owned structure designed by BARRETT, CARGO, WITHERS & ASSOC. The dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction and was completed in 1972. Standing at a height of 36.6 feet and with a length of 1100 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 926 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 382 acre-feet and a surface area of 45 acres.
Despite being regulated by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Big Bear Lake Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of November 2017. The dam undergoes inspection every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a maximum discharge capacity of 18,662 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and reducing flood risks for the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Big Bear Lake Dam to be a fascinating structure due to its vital role in flood risk reduction along Bear Creek. The dam's design, construction, and operational details provide valuable insights into water management practices and infrastructure development in Ohio. As a privately-owned dam with state regulatory oversight, its maintenance and safety measures are essential to safeguarding the surrounding community and environment from potential flood hazards.
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 Big Bear Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Scioto River At Piketon Oh | 4,210 cfs | → |
| Upper Twin Creek At Mcgaw Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Greenup Dam Near Greenup | 53,200 cfs | → |
| Ohio Brush Creek Near West Union Oh | 63 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Higby Oh | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Paint Creek Near Bourneville Oh | 181 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Bear Lake Dam.
Track Big Bear 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 Big Bear Lake Dam
Where does the data for Big Bear 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 High 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 Big Bear Lake Dam.