Harper Lake Dam dam
Harper Lake Dam
Harper Lake Dam, also known as Cook Pond, is a private earth dam located in Fairfield, Ohio. Built in 1971 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam stands at a height of 18.6 feet and has a length of 975 feet, with a storage capacity of 56.8 acre-feet and a surface area of 7.3 acres.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, Harper Lake Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a low hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of November 2020, the dam poses a moderate risk due to its uncontrolled spillway type and outlet gates. Despite these factors, the dam continues to provide a tranquil environment for outdoor recreation and serves as a vital component of the local watershed, contributing to the overall water resource management in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a picturesque location to appreciate the intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural landscapes, Harper Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity. With its historical significance, recreational value, and moderate risk profile, the dam presents an intriguing case study for those interested in understanding the complexities of dam management and the importance of balancing human needs with environmental considerations in the face of a changing climate.
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 Harper Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek At Ashville Oh | 109 cfs | → |
| Big Walnut Creek At Rees Oh | 182 cfs | → |
| Scioto River Near Commercial Point Oh | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Rockbridge Oh | 39 cfs | → |
| South Fork Licking River At Kirkersville Oh | 9 cfs | → |
| Scioto River At Circleville Oh | 1,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harper Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Greenfield Dam Wildlife Area
- A.W. Marion State Park - Boat Ramp
- Buckeye Lake State Park - Lieb
- Rush Creek Lake
- Buckeye Lake State Park - Fairfield Beach
- Scioto River - Lower Scioto Park And Boat Launch
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Harper 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 Harper Lake Dam
Where does the data for Harper 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 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 Harper Lake Dam.