Wellsville Reservoir Dam dam
Wellsville Reservoir Dam
The Wellsville Reservoir Dam, located in Columbiana, Ohio, was completed in 1926 and stands at a height of 61.5 feet, with a length of 426 feet. This earth dam is primarily used for water supply purposes, with a storage capacity of 410 acre-feet and a drainage area of 16.8 square miles. The reservoir created by the dam covers an area of 23 acres and is fed by the Little Yellow Creek.
Despite its age, the Wellsville Reservoir Dam is still in use and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. However, its condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential, indicating the need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a history of inspections, with the last one conducted in June 2019, and an emergency action plan is in place, though it may need updating to meet current guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Wellsville Reservoir Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management and maintenance of aging infrastructure. Its location in a picturesque setting along the Little Yellow Creek adds to its significance, making it a focal point for discussions on water supply, dam safety, and environmental stewardship. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's reliability and safety, its role in providing essential water resources to the region remains vital, highlighting the intersection of human infrastructure with natural landscapes in the face of climate challenges.
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 Wellsville Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 64 cfs | → |
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 334 cfs | → |
| Kings Creek At Weirton | 18 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek At Moffatts Mill | 68 cfs | → |
| Beaver River At Beaver Falls | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Sewickley | 20,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wellsville Reservoir Dam.
Track Wellsville Reservoir 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 Wellsville Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Wellsville Reservoir 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 Wellsville Reservoir Dam.