Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53) dam
Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53)
Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53) is a federally owned dam located in Akron, Ohio, and managed by the National Park Service. Built in 1937, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and serves primarily as a fish and wildlife pond. With a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, the dam is designed to support recreational activities while also providing habitat for various aquatic species in the area.
Despite its relatively small size, Virginia Kendall Dam poses a high hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available." The last inspection date was in 2015, and it is unclear if any updates have been made since then. While there is no state regulation or permitting associated with this dam, it falls under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and is subject to their regulatory oversight.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Virginia Kendall Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management of smaller-scale dams within federal lands. Its dual purpose of supporting wildlife habitats and recreational activities highlights the importance of balancing conservation efforts with public engagement. As discussions around dam safety and maintenance continue to evolve, Virginia Kendall Dam serves as a valuable example of how these structures can contribute to both environmental sustainability and community enjoyment.
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 Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga River At Jaite Oh | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Brandywine Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 18 cfs | → |
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 501 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Macedonia Oh | 4 cfs | → |
| Chippewa Creek In Chippewa Met Pk Near Brecksville | 7 cfs | → |
| Tinkers Creek At Bedford Oh | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53).
Boat launches
- Hudson Springs Park
- Canfield Road 2300, Sawyerwood
- Portage Lakes State Park - Long Lake
- Lake Hodgson
- Lakemore Park - James B Dodds Lakefront Park
- Portage Lakes State Park - North Reservoir
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53) 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 Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53)
Where does the data for Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53) 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 Virginia Kendall Dam (Tract # 119-53).