Bridge Creek Dam dam
Bridge Creek Dam
Bridge Creek Dam, also known as Ladue Reservoir, is a vital water supply structure located in Hiram Rapids, Geauga County, Ohio. Built in 1961 by Parsons, Brinkerhoff, Quade and Douglas of New York, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches 4,800 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 41,505 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 1,420 acres. The dam regulates the flow of Bridge Creek and Black Brook, serving as a crucial source of water for the surrounding community.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Bridge Creek Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in 2017. With a maximum discharge capacity of 23,080 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water management in the region. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of providing water supply while ensuring public safety through regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bridge Creek Dam offers a fascinating case study of infrastructure resilience and the intersection of human development with natural water systems. Its history, design, and ongoing maintenance provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of managing water resources in a changing climate. As a key piece of Ohio's water infrastructure, Bridge Creek Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in safeguarding communities and ecosystems for generations to come.
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 Bridge Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga River At Hiram Rapids Oh | 198 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Tributary To Chagrin R At Pepper Pike Oh | 3 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Phalanx Station Oh | 122 cfs | → |
| Unnamed Trib To Chagrin R At Mayfield Village Oh | 1 cfs | → |
| West Branch Mahoning River At Wayland Oh | 99 cfs | → |
| Tinkers Creek At Bedford Oh | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bridge Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- La Due Reservoir - Boat House
- Eldon Russell Park
- Auburn Launch Ramp
- Punderson State Park
- Berkshire Drive Aquilla
- Lakeview Road Munson Township
Campgrounds
- Punderson State Park
- Camp Site B
- Camp Site A
- Camp Asbury
- Kool Lakes Family Campground
- Headwaters Park Camping
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Bridge Creek 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 Bridge Creek Dam
Where does the data for Bridge Creek 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 Bridge Creek Dam.