Auglaize Hydro dam
Auglaize Hydro
Auglaize Hydro, also known as the Defiance Reservoir, is a gravity dam located in Defiance, Ohio, along the Auglaize River. Built in 1913 by the Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Company, this hydroelectric facility serves as an important source of renewable energy in the region. With a dam height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 15,000 acre-feet, Auglaize Hydro plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, Auglaize Hydro is also a popular recreational spot with its surface area of 500 acres. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric generation, with three Tainter (radial) gates serving as outlet structures for water release. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's high risk assessment rating underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
With a drainage area of 2,318 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 6,981 cubic feet per second, Auglaize Hydro stands as a testament to sustainable water resource utilization and climate-friendly energy production. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate action, the significance of dams like Auglaize Hydro in promoting renewable energy and environmental stewardship cannot be overstated.
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 Auglaize Hydro -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Auglaize River Near Defiance Oh | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Little Flatrock Creek Near Junction Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Maumee River Near Defiance Oh | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Little Auglaize River At Melrose Oh | 150 cfs | → |
| Tiffin River Near Evansport Oh | 246 cfs | → |
| Platter Creek Near Sherwood Oh | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Auglaize Hydro .
Boat launches
- Five Mile Creek Wildlife Access
- Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
- Oakwood Ramp
- West Main Street Ottawa
- County Road 63 Saint Joe
- Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Track Auglaize Hydro 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 Auglaize Hydro
Where does the data for Auglaize Hydro 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 Auglaize Hydro .