Zion Lake Dam dam
Zion Lake Dam
Zion Lake Dam, located in Harrison County, Ohio, was completed in 1963 by the Hanna Coal Company for the primary purpose of tailings storage. This private dam stands at a height of 37 feet and has a length of 1200 feet, providing a storage capacity of 382 acre-feet. The dam's reservoir covers a surface area of 24.2 acres and drains a 1.92 square mile watershed, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1350 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio, the Zion Lake Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and is in fair condition as of the last assessment in August 2020. Regular inspections are conducted every 5 years to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety. Despite its relatively low risk profile, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region and serves as an essential component in the overall environmental and hydrological landscape of Jockey Hollow Run.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental conservation can find a compelling case study in Zion Lake Dam. Its design, construction, and ongoing management offer insights into the challenges and opportunities of balancing human development with ecological stewardship in the context of water resource management. The dam's history, purpose, and operational details contribute to a deeper understanding of how dams like Zion Lake Dam contribute to water security, flood control, and environmental protection in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Zion Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boggs Fork At Piedmont Oh | 17 cfs | → |
| Stillwater Creek At Piedmont Oh | 67 cfs | → |
| Brushy Fork Near Tippecanoe Oh | 22 cfs | → |
| Stillwater Creek At Tippecanoe Oh | 116 cfs | → |
| Wheeling Creek Below Blaine Oh | 56 cfs | → |
| Short Creek Near Dillonvale Oh | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Zion Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Reynolds Road Launch Ramp
- Kirkwood Ramp
- Barkcamp State Park
- Tappan Park Launch Ramp
- County Rd 6 Ramp
- Barnesville Memorial Park
Campgrounds
- Petersburg Boat Landing
- Jefferson Lake State Park
- Atwood Lake Campground (Main Gate)
- Abc Country Camping And Cabins
- Harrison Hills Campground
Track Zion 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 Zion Lake Dam
Where does the data for Zion 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 Zion Lake Dam.