William H. Harsha Dam dam
William H. Harsha Dam
The William H. Harsha Dam, also known as William H. Harsha Lake, is a federally owned rockfill dam located on the East Fork of Little Miami River in Batavia, Ohio. Completed in 1973, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction but also supports recreation and water supply purposes. With a structural height of 205 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 211,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a critical role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam has a high hazard potential and undergoes regular inspections and risk assessments to ensure its structural integrity and readiness for emergency situations. The agency closely monitors the dam's condition, implements maintenance and repairs as needed, and collaborates with local emergency managers to develop and update emergency action plans. With a focus on public awareness and preparedness, the USACE works to address all types of flood risks associated with the dam and ensure the safety of downstream communities.
As a key component of water resource management in the area, the William H. Harsha Dam highlights the importance of proactive risk management and collaboration between federal agencies and local stakeholders. By maintaining a robust emergency response plan and implementing preventive measures, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure to protect against flooding and support sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 William H. Harsha Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Little Miami River At Williamsburg Oh | 31 cfs | → |
| East Fork Little Miami River At Perintown Oh | 561 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek At Highway 1997 Nr Alexandria | 48 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Poplar Ridge Rd Nr Alexandria | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Miami River At Milford Oh | 3,810 cfs | → |
| White Oak Creek Above Georgetown Oh | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near William H. Harsha Dam.
Track William H. Harsha 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 William H. Harsha Dam
Where does the data for William H. Harsha 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 William H. Harsha Dam.