Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) dam
Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)
Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) in Columbiana, Ohio, is a vital water supply structure designed by Chester Engineers and completed in 1952. Managed by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 47.6 feet and has a storage capacity of 2182 acre-feet, serving as a crucial resource for the surrounding West Point area. The reservoir is regulated and inspected by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and functionality for the community.
With a surface area of 110 acres and a drainage area of 0.64 square miles, Salem Reservoir plays a key role in supplying water to the region while also posing a high hazard potential due to its size and structural characteristics. Despite being assessed as in fair condition as of April 2019, the dam undergoes regular inspections every five years to ensure its continued safety and reliability. The reservoir's emergency action plan is periodically reviewed and updated to meet guidelines, highlighting the importance of proactive risk management measures in safeguarding this essential water resource.
Located in the Pittsburgh District and associated with Middle Fork Little Beaver Creek, Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) remains a critical infrastructure for water supply in the region. As climate change impacts water resources, this reservoir's maintenance and regulation by state authorities are crucial for ensuring a sustainable and secure water source for the local community. With its historical significance and ongoing monitoring, Salem Reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the face of evolving environmental 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Beaver Creek Near East Liverpool Oh | 334 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Bl Berlin Dam Nr Berlin Center Oh | 101 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek Near Hammondsville Oh | 64 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River At Lowellville Oh | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River Below West Ave At Youngstown Oh | 756 cfs | → |
| Mahoning River At Pricetown Oh | 171 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Salem Reservoir (South Embankment).
Boat launches
- Jim Kenney Park
- Berlin Lake Boat Ramp
- Ohioville Borough
- Lake Milton State Park - Robinson Point Ramp
- Bessemer Lake
- Lake Milton State Park Ramp
Campgrounds
- Guilford Lake State Park
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Mill Creek - Berlin Reservoir
- Pride Valley Campgrounds
- Harrison Hills Campground
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment)
Where does the data for Salem Reservoir (South Embankment) 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 Salem Reservoir (South Embankment).